US Space Command has announced that France and Germany are the latest nations to participate in Operation Olympic Defender, the U.S. military’s strategic initiative for space warfare planning.
On October 14, SPACECOM Commander Gen. Stephen Whiting visited Paris, and on October 11, he was in Berlin for induction ceremonies alongside Maj. Gen. Phillipe Adam, commander of the French Space Command, and Lt. Gen. Gunter Schneider, director-general for military strategy and operations at the German Ministry of Defence. These events mark a significant expansion of the international coalition involved in the operation.
Representatives from Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the newest member, New Zealand, participated in the ceremonies, with New Zealand accepting the U.S. invitation on September 5. “Seamless integration with our international partners provides a collective, asymmetric advantage that no single nation, command, or service can achieve alone,” Gen. Whiting stated in Paris.
Originally established in 2013 under US Strategic Command, which was then responsible for military space operations, Operation Olympic Defender was revised in 2018 to allow for allied participation. Australia, Britain, and Canada joined in 2020, and invitations to France, Germany, and New Zealand were extended by Whiting during the Space Symposium in Colorado Springs on April 9.
While specific details about the operational plans remain limited, SPACECOM describes Operation Olympic Defender as a multinational initiative aimed at optimizing space operations, enhancing mission assurance, improving resilience of space-based systems, synchronizing efforts to bolster deterrence against potential threats, and reducing orbital debris.
Lt. Gen. Schneider highlighted the importance of allied cooperation, stating that increased Space Domain Awareness among allies would help deter adversarial actions by making it clear that their activities in space are being closely monitored. “Our joint efforts will not only enhance our understanding of the space domain but also dissuade adversaries from engaging in dangerous behaviors,” he remarked.
Maj. Gen. Phillipe Adam emphasized France’s commitment to collective defense in space, referencing the spirit of cooperation symbolized by the Marquis de Lafayette, who fought alongside American forces in the Revolutionary War. “Joining the Multi-National Force-Operation OLYMPIC DEFENDER signifies a renewed commitment to defend freedom in space against escalating threats,” he affirmed.
In recent years, France and Germany have strengthened their ties with the U.S. on space operations, actively participating in SPACECOM’s Combined Space Operations Initiative, which began in 2020. This initiative emphasizes collaboration on securing their interests in outer space and aims to develop capabilities while establishing norms for future operations.
