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Defence Industry and Space
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EU Space Technology Non-Dependence

Powering strategic autonomy in space

Ensuring access to critical space technologies is key to our economy, society and security. This is why bolstering space research activities in support of EU’s strategic autonomy is a key priority for the European Commission.

The European Commission is enhancing technological sovereignty through greater investment and cooperation.

Investment in key space technologies

Through the Horizon 2020 programme (2014-2020) and the EU Space Programme under the responsibility of DG DEFIS, the European Commission has invested more than €100 million to strengthen Europe's non-dependence on critical space technologies.

These investments support the maintenance, development and evolution of European space systems and components, for which no viable alternatives currently exist in the EU.

Horizon Europe space image

As geopolitical pressures are rising along with global competition for unrestricted access to technologies access, the European Commission has decided to increase investments via Horizon Europe (2021-2027). As of 2023, the Commission has allocated €20 million annually to reduce EU non-dependence in the area of critical space technologies. By the end of Horizon Europe in 2027, the Commission would have invested €120 million in directly managed development projects, responding to space EEE components and equipment crucial for EU non-dependence

Horizon Europe is the EU’s primary funding programme for research and innovation. One of its objectives is to enhance European industrial competitiveness and ensure strategic autonomy in the space sector.

Over the past decade, the European Union has taken significant strides towards enhancing its technological sovereignty in space. 

Upcoming EU-funded space R&I call 2025

The 2025 call encompasses multiple topics outlining the areas in which development activities are to be undertaken, which are summarised here: 

  • RISC-V Microprocessors on 7nm
  • Chip Scale Atomic Clocks
  • Solar Cells
  • Connectors
  • Advanced packages
  • Memories

Further details can be found in the Technical Guidance Document that support the call.

  • 6 MAY 2025
Critical space Technologies, space EEE components and equipment for EU non-dependence – 2025 HE Technical Guidance Document

 

Long standing EU development activities in the area of space EEE components

Notable examples of achieved results

Cooperation with the European Space Agency and the European Defence Agency

In 2008, the Commission, ESA and EDA established a Joint Task Force (JTF) with the objective of ensuring autonomous and unrestricted access to these technologies. Since then, the JTF has mapped critical space dependencies and identified relevant actions.

In this context, the Commission, ESA and EDA have given a fresh impetus to the Joint Task Force to lift up their institutional cooperation in light of the recent geopolitical context. In July 2024, following a comprehensive process involving the European Commission, DG DEFIS, ESA, EDA and also the respective Member States and industry, two documents have been finalised. The 2024-2026 JTF Action List of Critical Space Technologies for European Strategic Non-Dependence and the 2024-2026 COM-EDA Action List of Critical Space Technologies for EU Strategic Non-Dependence.

Close cooperation is central to the success of European research and innovation. It enables alignment of efforts between EU institutions, agencies, Member States and industry. It strengthens the links between research, development and manufacturing, with positive impact on uptake of technology, market innovation and EU strategic autonomy in the field of space. 

Through these efforts, the EU will be prepared to meet the challenges of the 21st century and maintain its competitiveness in the rapidly evolving global landscape.