Saturday 17 / May / 2025
Paris: France's President Emmanuel Macron said on Saturday he had approved the creation of a space command within the French air force to improve the country's defence capabilities.
Addressing military personnel a day before the Bastille Day parade, Macron said the new military space command would strengthen protection of the country's satellites.
He said the investment involved had yet to be determined.
In a tweet, Macron said, "A large Space Command will be created next September in the Air Force. This will eventually become the Air and Space Army.
French Defence Minister Florence Parly said last year she was committed to giving France strategic space autonomy in the face of growing threats from other powers amid a race in space militarisation.
The French military spending programme for 2019-2025 has earmarked 3.6 billion euros ($4.06 billion) for investments and renewal of satellites.
