“Space is just as crucial to our defense and deterrence strategy as land, sea, air, and cyberspace,” said NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in a recent interview. “In recent years, the space domain has become more congested, risky, and unpredictable. The level of competition up there is intense,” he added.
Rutte issued a warning about the potential threat posed by the placement of nuclear weapons in orbit by Russia, emphasizing that such a move could endanger thousands of satellites — not just those supporting Kyiv’s defense efforts, but also critical systems used globally.
Currently, roughly 7,000 satellites circle the Earth. These space-based systems are vital to daily life, Rutte explained: “They power everything from mobile phones and online banking to GPS navigation and weather forecasting.”
Although a key international treaty banning the militarization of outer space came into effect in 1967, with Russia among the 114 countries that signed it, the agreement has limitations. It does not fully prohibit military activities in space, and critics argue it fails to address the growing threats posed by modern satellite technologies and capabilities.
Rutte noted that NATO is adapting to the evolving space landscape. “Allies are stepping up by sharing intelligence, building out national space command centers, and investing in new technologies like smaller, more agile satellites that can better withstand hostile interference,” he said.
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