The German Bundeswehr (armed forces) plays an increasing role in the space industry, primarily focused on national security and defense. As a governmental organization, it is developing its capabilities for space situational awareness, satellite communication, and reconnaissance. The Bundeswehr operates the Space Component Command (SpCC) and the German Space Situational Awareness Centre. To enhance its capabilities, the Bundeswehr partners with companies like Airbus and Indra and aims to establish its own satellite constellation by 2029. Key activities include space operations planning, deployment/protection of space systems, and collaboration within initiatives like Combined Space Operations (CSpO).
All verified mentions of this organization in source documents.
Fleischmann stated that satellite communications are a core capability of the German Armed Forces.
The Bundeswehr announced on 25 September that Germany would invest €35 billion in space-related defence projects by 2030.
Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger stated that the contract calls for 40 satellites to be delivered to the Bundeswehr in the next two years.
The satellites will provide high-resolution radar imagery known as Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) for the German Bundeswehr’s reconnaissance and intelligence capabilities.
Four ESA astronauts have completed a helicopter training course with the German Bundeswehr.
On 15 October, the Defence Ministers of Germany and France signed an agreement to jointly implement the ODIN’S EYE missile early warning system.
Arianespace signed a new strategic contract for the German Armed Forces to guarantee autonomous access to space for European sovereign satellites.
El Gobierno de Alemania implementará un plan de defensa espacial con un presupuesto de 35.000 millones de euros hasta 2030 para proteger los artefactos del Ejército Federal germano (Bundeswehr) que orbitan alrededor de la Tierra.
Alemania está construyendo estructuras dentro de la Bundeswehr para defender y disuadir eficazmente en el espacio a medio y largo plazo.
Two Russian Luch-Olymp spy satellites were reported to be tracking two Intelsat satellites used by the German military, Bundeswehr.
The management of Germany’s space architecture could be centralized within the Bundeswehr to enhance military preparedness.
Pistoriu highlighted that Germany's Bundeswehr systems are being affected by jamming attacks.
A dedicated military satellite operations center will be established in the Bundeswehr Space Command.
Airbus Defence and Space awarded Arianespace a contract to launch a pair of SATCOMBw-3 communications satellites for the German Armed Forces.
In July 2024, the German Armed Forces awarded Airbus Defence and Space a €2.1 billion contract for the SATCOMBw-3 programme.
Airbus is the prime contractor for the design, integration, testing, and in-orbit delivery of two new military GEO telecommunications satellites for the Bundeswehr.
Arianespace has been awarded the contract to launch two SATCOMBw Stufe 3 satellites for the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) using two Ariane 6 rockets.
The Weltraumlagezentrum in Uedem is operated by the DLR and the Bundeswehr.
The DLR and the Bundeswehr agreed to a mutual, nearly complete data exchange on July 22, 2025.
The Deutsche Raumfahrtagentur and the Bundeswehr's Weltraumkommando have operated the Weltraumlagezentrum in Uedem since 2011.