To counter Starlink and China, Leonardo and Airbus advance a satellite alliance to strengthen Europe
Europe aims to consolidate its satellite industry with the cooperation of giants like Leonardo, Airbus, and Thales.
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Roberto Cingolani, CEO of Leonardo, confirmed having met with the CEO of Airbus to discuss possible collaborations in the satellite industry. The goal of these alliances would be to strengthen Europe’s position against global competition, especially from the United States and China.
"We are working on a satellite alliance with Airbus and Thales," Cingolani stated during an event at the Italian parliament. The meeting took place on Tuesday morning at an airport in Rome. "In such a competitive scenario, it is clear that Europe needs industrial giants to cooperate. This is not something that can be resolved in two months; it requires a lot of work," he added.
Leonardo, which produces satellites, orbital infrastructure, sensors, propulsion systems, and launch services, already collaborates with Thales in two joint ventures: Thales Alenia Space and Telespazio. Airbus and Thales Alenia Space are the main European manufacturers of satellites for telecommunications, navigation, and surveillance.
According to a Reuters report, Cingolani recalled that discussions with Airbus and Thales about space collaborations began last summer, aiming to consolidate a stronger European strategy against international rivals. Additionally, Italy is evaluating meeting immediate satellite communication needs through Elon Musk’s Starlink technology, ensuring secure communications for the government, embassies, and defense personnel in high-risk areas.
However, this proposal has sparked criticism from center-left opposition parties, who have expressed reservations about Musk. Cingolani, for his part, aligned with the government’s stance and emphasized that a key aspect of any agreement would be ensuring the protection of data transmitted through the infrastructure. "Leonardo has the capability to ensure that security," he stressed.
Cingolani insisted that consolidating cooperation among Europe’s leading industries is essential to compete in such a strategic sector as satellites. The need for large European alliances is set against the backdrop of growing dependence on space technology for telecommunications, defense, and security.
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