The escalating rivalry among global powers in the domain of space has seen France commence its first-ever space military exercises. The drills aim to assess France’s capacity to safeguard its satellites. This move comes as part of France’s broader strategy to secure its position as the world’s third-largest space power, trailing behind the USA and China.
The AsterX Exercise
Dubbed ‘AsterX’ in honor of Asterix, the first French satellite launched in 1965, these military exercises represent a significant milestone for both France and Europe at large. They mark the region’s first foray into the realm of space military operations. The planned drills also prepare the ground for the development of anti-satellite laser weapons by France. These additions will augment surveillance capabilities, enabling France to narrow its competitive deficit with the likes of China and Russia.
Purpose of the Exercise
The AsterX exercise serves dual objectives. On one hand, it will monitor space objects that could pose potential threats. Concurrently, it will guard French satellites against adversarial foreign powers boasting substantial space forces.
Participating Entities
France isn’t conducting these exercises in solitude. Other key players in the space scene, including the newly-formed U.S. Space Force and German space agencies, are active participants in the drills.
Historical Context
These exercises have been informed by prior incidents that underscored the importance of strong space defense capabilities. Back in 2018, France and Italy found their secure communication channels under threat when the Russian satellite Olymp-K attempted to intercept transmissions from the Athena-Fidus satellite – an act swiftly denounced as ‘espionage’. More recently, in 2020, Russia faced accusations from the United States for non-destructively testing an anti-satellite weapon in space.
France’s Space Command
In 2019, as part of its expanded focus on space, France announced the formation of the Commandement de l’Espace (CdE) or French Space Command. By 2025, it is projected to have an impressive personnel strength of 500.
India’s Similar Initiatives
France is not alone in this pursuit. India has also demonstrated interest and investment in strengthening its space warfare capabilities. This is made evident by ‘IndSpaceEx’, its first-ever simulated space warfare exercise. Additionally, India flexed its might by successfully conducting Mission Shakti, an Anti-Satellite (ASAT) Missile Test.
The rapidly evolving dynamics in the field of space promise to continue shaping world powers’ strategic interests and actions. Amidst this landscape, France’s pioneering AsterX exercise offers an intriguing glimpse into the scope and significance of military applications in space. Needless to say, the world will be eagerly observing the outcomes of these drills, which could very well set a new precedent for space-related defenses.