The strategic nature of space for global and Italian security

The increasing use of space for security and defence purposes highlights the strategic dimension of the sector. The project analysed the global strategic competition in space and the implications for Italy. It aimed to identify the opportunities for the Italian “Sistema-Paese” to position itself as a leading player on both the European and international stage, by focusing the analysis on the Country’s technological, industrial, operational capabilities that can be developed in the near future.

In addition, the project analysed the European policies, the obstacles and the challenges for added security and for the development of the sector on both a political-institutional and technical-operational level, including within the NATO framework, as well as the increasing role of private actors.

The project provided for the drafting of two articles on AffarInternazionali, a IAI Commentary in English, and two events, the first one open to students and young professionals in the field and the second one restricted to national and international experts. A report summarised the main issues addressed during the latter event.

The first event, titled “The strategic dimension of space for the Italian Sistema-Paese”, was organised in cooperation with Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo and took place on February 22nd 2022 . The workshop was held in hybrid mode, with some participants and speakers in presence at IAI headquarters and others connected remotely. The workshop analysed several issues of crucial interest for the Italian ecosystem and for the development of the space sector, with a specific focus on space diplomacy, international cooperation, synergies between space sector and defence, as well as on the promotion of the Italian space value chain, involving an audience composed of young professionals in the field and of students.

Funding: Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo