At the end of March, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine announced the establishment of the Office of Space Policy. The main goal of the new structure is to combine internal and external capabilities for the development of Ukrainian military space. This event raised a number of important questions. The Ministry of Defense answers the most popular of them.
What is military space??
Military space is the application of space technologies, infrastructure and facilities to ensure military needs and goals. It's not about weapons in space, and above all about the use of satellites and space systems. In modern warfare, the control of space and the development of space capabilities are becoming critically important. That is why many countries create separate space commands or forces.
Why does the Defense Forces of Ukraine need space??
Currently, Ukraine has three key needs in space:
Satellite communication. One of the most important needs of the modern army. First, that seeks to destroy any aggressor is the communication infrastructure. Without it, the army loses its control system. Also, satellite communication is a key element for long-range drone operations.
Intelligence. Satellite data allows detection of enemy movements, analyze its logistics routes, composition and concentration of forces, identify vulnerable places. This is the basis of effective planning of operations.
Early warning of missile danger. Prompt detection of missile launches is critical to the operation of air defense systems and the preservation of lives as soldiers, and civilians. The army must detect the threat instantly, to have time to react. Thanks to satellites, we can create a system, which will report the threat from the sky much earlier.
What is the Office of Space Policy?
The Ministry of Defense declares its readiness to take the lead in the development of national military space, as stipulated in the Law of Ukraine "On Space Activities". To implement this task, the Ministry created a special Office.
The Defense Space Policy Directorate is a center of competence, which will ensure coordination of efforts in the field of military space and will become a platform for interaction with all participants of the space ecosystem. Among these participants:
The military management bodies of the security and defense forces are the main users of the results of space activities;
State Space Agency of Ukraine;
Other state institutions, tangential to the sphere of space activity;
Partner countries-through joint programs and data exchange;
Commercial enterprises, that develops innovative technologies, Satellite systems, Provide Space Monitoring Services;
The scientific community is universities, research centers and laboratories, who work on creating new solutions.
What exactly will the new Administration do??
The work of the Office consists of three main directions.
Improvement of the legal framework. The office will develop draft legal acts for the development of space capabilities of the military. The goal is to create an efficient and flexible policy without excessive bureaucracy, що швидко реагує на виклики війни.\
Technological examination. Management will cooperate with scientific institutions, R&D-center and developers-will look for promising technologies, specialists and trends for defense integration.
Strategic coordination of space support for combat operations. The Department will establish partnerships with international governmental and commercial structures, will enter into contracts for the supply of technologies and data. Based on data from the battlefield, the team will be able to effectively recommend the allocation of resources and create transparent procedures for requesting space services. This will speed up the army's access to the necessary technologies.
As an enemy uses satellites against Ukraine?
IN 2015 year Russia has created air space forces, Combining the Air Force and Air Force Troops. They manage satellite systems of military and dual -purpose, launch spacecraft in orbit, They monitor outer space, detect and neutralize threats from and in space.
The enemy deployed close 200 satellites and 150 000 military personnel, that serve this system. Instead, Ukraine still has one apparatus — "People's Satellite", which was developed by the ICEYE company and purchased by the Serhiy Prytula Charitable Fund with funds from citizens' donations. Thanks to him and support of partners, the Ukrainian army is able to counteract threats. But this is not enough - Ukraine should move from the role of the consumer to a full -fledged player in the space sphere. And the task of the Ministry of Defense is to ensure this subjectivity.
What other countries are developing capabilities in space?
Over the last decade, more and more countries have recognized cosmos critical for national security. They work on that, to ensure its presence and protection of interests in orbit.
Except for Russia, with 2015 China is developing a military space program. IN 2019 year, the USA created a separate type of military — the Space Force. Their task is to protect the country's interests and deter aggression through space operations. Only in 2023 year they did 74 rocket launches, and already in 2024 93, which became a record.
The same 2019 India established the Space Research Agency under the auspices of the Ministry of Defence. Great Britain has its own space forces, France, Italy, Poland and Germany. IN 2021 Spain joined them in the year, Czech Republic, Japan, Taiwan, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.
How many people will work in the Office of Space Policy and what are their competencies?
Currently, the Management team is almost formed and will number around 20 specialists with deep specialization and practical experience. It will include military lawyers, experts with engineering and technical competences (in such directions, like satellite communication, remote sensing of the Earth, navigation and geospatial support, space situational awareness) and specialists, responsible for interaction with suppliers and users of the defense sector.
What are the budgets of space defense programs in the world?
IN 2024 world governments spent a record $135 billions for space programs, of which $73 billions (54%) aimed at defense needs. This indicates the growing importance of space as a strategic direction in national security.
The USA remains the leader in terms of funding: in 2025 year, the budget of the Space Forces was made $29.6 billion. At the same time, their share in global military space spending decreased from 75% in 2000 year before 59% now, as more countries actively invest in a defense presence in space. In particular, new large-scale initiatives are being developed in Asia, in the Middle East, in Australia and New Zealand.
Such sums look significant, However, space is still a relatively small place in total defensive costs: for the US - only near 3.5% budget of the Ministry of Defense. This confirms, that space is no longer a luxury — it is becoming more affordable, in particular for Ukraine.
How the Office of Space Policy is funded?
Funding of the Office of Space Policy will take place within the existing budget, provided for the Ministry of Defense, by redistributing resources. The establishment of the administration does not require additional funding and does not affect the overall strength of the Armed Forces.
The decision to finance specific projects is made within the general defense budget. Purchase of space technologies or launch of profile programs are possible only after the Ministry of Defense's preparation is prepared and its approval with the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.