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European space observation vital for EU security
Paris, 5 June � A European space observation capability is vital for ensuring security in the European Union (EU), the WEU Assembly said on Wednesday.
A report prepared by Edward O�Hara (UK, Lab.) and Sam Cherribi (Netherlands, Lib.), for the Technological and Aerospace Committee said that �space applications can provide political decision-makers and in the EU with part of the information they need to carry out an effective European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP). Until now, �the absence of political will� has prevented the EU from adopting a proper space policy., said the report �Developing a European space observation capability to meet Europe�s security requirements.� Instead, it has maintained a �string of different national programmes.�
To help develop an EU battle-management capability, the EU Satellite Centre�s role should be expanded to include the use of remote-sensing, communication, meteorological, electronic surveillance systems and later on early-warning systems. It should have access to all commercial and military satellites on a case-by-case basis, and create an intelligence capacity in conjunction with a future European intelligence agency., the report said.
The EU should draw on a paper prepared by the French German, Italian and Spanish chiefs of staffs in devising its space observation policy for security and defence, the Assembly said. The paper advocates development in stages, taking the user ground segments of various national or bilateral systems now on the drawing-board as the architecture for the first-generation global space observation system.
The EU should also assess whether the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) now being development would be adequate or whether other systems would be necessary. The main goals of GMES are to coordinate space programmes in earth observation, to study the environment and to monitor weather patterns.
A civil-military synergy should be sought in equipment and services wherever possible in order to curb costs, but this could have limits in terms of performance and the need for mission confidentiality, the report said. It would �be a serious setback� not to have recourse to military satellites in view of the European industry�s expertise, it added.
Although the European Commission and European Space Agency (ESA) have drawn up a space policy that includes security and defence, the report asks whether the EU �really does intend to acquire the capabilities necessary for independent and autonomous political analysis in any crisis-management operations it may undertake. Are the member states ready to participate in a joint military satellite programme?�
The report and recommendations may be downloaded from the WEU Assembly website, address below.
Background: the Assembly of WEU was founded in 1954 by the modified Brussels Treaty. Composed of 364 national parliamentarians from 28 countries including all EU member states, the Assembly scrutinises European intergovernmental activities in all areas of security and defence. Following the transfer of WEU�s operational activities to the EU, the Assembly also acts as the interim European Security and Defence Assembly.
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