France will create a new military space command as part of the modernisation of its armed forces, following similar moves by other countries including the US, President Emmanuel Macron has said.
“We will strengthen our understanding of the situation in space, we will protect our satellites better, including in an active manner,” he told military commanders on the eve of the Bastille Day military parade.
“The new military and space doctrine proposed to me by [defence minister Florence Parly], which I have approved, will allow us to assure our defence of space and from space,” Mr Macron said, noting that space was a “real national security challenge” given the potential for conflict.