Airbus Executive Calls for Expedited Development of European Air Defense System and Space Infrastructure
In the face of current conflicts, Michael Schöllhorn, the head of Airbus’ defense and space division, is urging the European Union to accelerate the development of its air defense system, the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) and to establish a robust space infrastructure for military purposes.
Schöllhorn, speaking to the German newspaper Welt am Sonntag, emphasized the need for the unmanned component of the FCAS to be brought online sooner, with a target of the end of the decade. He attributed this to the rapid advancements in drone technology, which could enable a more rapid development of the system. “We at Airbus are eager to contribute, for instance, with combat drones that can partially replace manned fighter jets” he said.
The executive also called for the rapid establishment of a European space infrastructure for military purposes, citing the importance of space capabilities in the current conflict in Ukraine. “The war in Ukraine has brutally exposed how crucial space capabilities have become for our security: without our own abilities in Earth observation or secure satellite communication, Europe is a toothless tiger” he said. Schöllhorn emphasized the need for concrete agreements, sufficient funding and a clear roadmap for the development of the space infrastructure, rather than just rhetoric.