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​Ukraine May Launch Its Own Space Forces, Developing Satellite and Missile Solutions

 An artistic rendering of the ICEYE satellite, which Ukraine has utilized for military intelligence / Photo credit: ICEYE
An artistic rendering of the ICEYE satellite, which Ukraine has utilized for military intelligence / Photo credit: ICEYE

Lawmakers want to bring national defense into Earth's orbit by the next decade

Ukraine is considering the establishment of the Space Forces branch within its Armed Forces, following a legislative initiative by Fedir Venislavskyi, a member of the parliamentary defense committee. While the full text of the draft law has not yet been made public, the proposal marks a significant step in Ukraine's efforts to enhance its military capabilities in space.

This initiative builds upon previous efforts by the Ministry of Defense, which established the Space Policy Directorate aimed at developing military space technologies, including satellites and missile systems.

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Deputy Minister Kateryna Chernohorenko has emphasized the Ministry's goal to become the primary customer for space solutions tailored to the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Plans are underway to deploy domestic satellites for defense purposes, establish an early warning system, and implement comprehensive space monitoring capabilities by 2030.

Illustrative image Defense Express Ukraine May Launch Its Own Space Forces, Developing Satellite And Missile Solutions
Illustrative image / Photo credit: The Ramstein Air Base

The move aligns with global trends where space is increasingly recognized as a critical domain for national security. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has highlighted concerns over potential militarization of space, including the deployment of nuclear weapons by russia.

Ukraine's consideration of the Space Forces branch reflects its commitment to modernizing its military infrastructure and securing its sovereignty in all domains, including space.

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