France’s Chief of Defense Staff, General Thierry Burkhard, accused Russia on Thursday of taking active steps to militarize space, warning that Moscow’s satellite activities are becoming increasingly aggressive and potentially dangerous.
Speaking at a rare press conference in Paris, General Burkhard stated that Russian satellites have been used to spy on and interfere with French space assets. He described this as part of a broader pattern of “worrying” Russian behavior across multiple military domains.
“We are observing signs of a desire to militarize space,” Burkhard said. “Certain Russian satellites are used to spy on or interfere with the functioning of our equipment. They are likely not compliant with international agreements on the non-militarization of space.”
In addition to space concerns, Burkhard also highlighted Russia’s increased submarine operations. He noted that Russian submarines have been frequently spotted in the North Atlantic and have entered the Mediterranean Sea, operating close to areas important for France’s national security.
The press conference comes as France is preparing to boost its defense spending. According to official plans, the defense budget is set to rise from €50.5 billion in 2025 to €67.4 billion by 2030. Analysts suggest that strengthening space and maritime defense capabilities will be among the key priorities.
While General Burkhard did not specify the exact incidents of satellite interference, his comments align with previous warnings from NATO allies about Russia’s increasing focus on space as a strategic military frontier.
For the United States and its allies, these accusations reinforce existing concerns about space security. U.S. defense officials have long emphasized the risks posed by potential anti-satellite weapons and aggressive orbital maneuvers by adversarial nations.
As of Friday, Russian officials had not publicly responded to the French general’s statements.
