{"id":52295,"date":"2019-07-26T11:57:31","date_gmt":"2019-07-26T11:57:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2019\/07\/26\/france-plans-to-boost-its-self-defense-posture-in-space\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T23:48:02","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T23:48:02","slug":"france-plans-to-boost-its-self-defense-posture-in-space","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/global\/europe\/2019\/07\/26\/france-plans-to-boost-its-self-defense-posture-in-space\/","title":{"rendered":"France plans to boost its self-defense posture in space"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

PARIS \u2013 France has decided that by 2025 it will invest another \u20ac700 million ($780 million), in addition to the \u20ac3.6 billion ($4 billion) already earmarked, to boost its space capabilities, strengthening its means of surveillance and acquiring the means to self-defend in space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf our satellites are threatened, we will blind those of our adversaries. We reserve the right to choose the time and means of the riposte: it could imply using powerful lasers deployed from our satellites or from patroller nano-satellites,\u201d explained Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly on July 25.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The announcement comes on the heels of the one made by President Emmanuel Macron on July 13 that a Space Command would be created on Sept. 1 in Toulouse, south-west France. Initially staffed by 220 people, it will be subordinated to the Air Force whose name will change to become the Air and Space Force (Arm\u00e9e de l\u2019Air et de l\u2019Espace).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEventually, this command will be responsible for all our space operations, under the orders of the chief of staff of the armed forces,\u201d Parly said at the Air Defense and Air Operations Command (CDAOA) on Airbase 942 in Lyon-Mont Verdun.<\/p>\n\n\n\t