Star Wars: France Pledges Not to Conduct Anti-Satellite Missile Tests but Leaves Other Options Open

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misbahulalam
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Star Wars: France Pledges Not to Conduct Anti-Satellite Missile Tests but Leaves Other Options Open

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Driven by concerns over space debris, in late November the French Ministry for the Armed Forces formally committed not to conduct anti-satellite missile tests. And yet, France’s space strategy of 2019 resolved to “toughen” the country’s space capabilities. Given the short lapse of just three years, how can we make sense of France’s seemingly contradictory space military policy? A historic but surprising decision? In October 2022, the United Nations voted to work towards putting an end to “destructive direct-ascent antisatellite missile testing” – that is, missiles fired at satellites from Earth’s surface or from the air. France cosponsored the resolution and voted for it, despite possessing the technical expertise required to develop such a capacity. The ministry’s statement, published on 9 November 2022, is strongly worded. It dubs anti-satellite testing as “destabilizing and irresponsible”, and insists France never conducted such tests.

It also voices concerns about the potential impact of space debris on the integrity of in-use satellites, as well as for the space domain. France’s decision follows that of the United States Phone Number List on 9 April 2022, which the Elyse Palace had then applauded. Not about breaking news. Not about unfounded opinions. The French Ministry’s determination is especially historic given that France is one of the few countries to have developed a ‘strategic triad’ consisting of intercontinental missiles, nuclear weapons, and aerospace capabilities. France’s space and ballistic programmed The country’s ballistic programmed is ongoing and involves the renewal of nuclear deterrence, the modernization of Ariane Group’s sea-land ballistic missile M51, and the development of the fourth-generation air-land nuclear missile (ASN4G) and the hypersonic glider V-Max. Although this modernization effort does not directly relate to anti-satellite testing, it goes to show the extent to which France has invested in ballistic capabilities.

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In parallel, the Syracuse programmed is intended to provide the country’s armed forces with new-generation military satellites, powering high-speed communications from the earth, sky, oceans, and underwater. These satellites are equipped with surveillance systems capable of observing their immediate environment, as well as changing trajectory in the event of an attack. Alongside the CSO and CERES satellites, they represent the French Defense's eyes, ears, and voice in and from space. The ‘Celeste’ electromagnetic intelligence (ELINT) and the ‘Iris’ optical observation programmed – whose launch was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Ariane 6 delays, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – will follow. Finally, in November, Emmanuel Macron established outer space as a strategic priority in the wake of ongoing discussions to design the next pluriannual military planning law (Lois de Programmation Militaria), for 2024-2030. A traditional show of force Given France’s advances in the domain of satellite and missile capabilities, one could have envisaged that the country would at some point develop an anti-satellite missile – for example, a high-altitude version of the Aster 30 antiballistic missile.
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