New and Old Issues in Space Security: from Space Debris Removal to Italy’s Call for Satellite Protection

Following the recognition by Italy of space as a domain for military operations, the country must increase the robustness and the protection of its satellites. This decision aligns with international and transnational organisations of which Italy is a member, such as the European Space Agency (ESA) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). The problem to be tackled is active attacks in space and the always present issue of space and orbital debris.

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German and Dutch Patriot Systems to be Deployed in Slovakia

The Associated Press (AP) reports that Germany and the Netherlands will deploy their armed forces’ Patriot Air Defence Systems in Slovakia. Notably, the deployment comes after an official request made by NATO to the two-member states; it is unclear whether Slovakia previously made a request to NATO. The deployment must be understood twofold: First, as conventional deterrence and second, as an exercise in signalling NATO’s commitment to its eastern member states.

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THEIA Programme Spearheads UK Army’s Digitalisation Effort

In March 2021, the UK Government published its much-anticipated policy paper “Global Britain in a Competitive Age: The Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy”. The publication of the policy paper resulted in a significant development for the UK Army’s ongoing digitalisation effort, namely the launch of project THEIA. Project THEIA, which is not an acronym but rather a reference to a figure in Greek mythology, seeks to create a change in the Army’s (digital) culture and behaviour

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Serbia Shows Off New Chinese Anti-Aircraft Missile System

On 30 April 2022 was held the “Shield 2022” demonstration of the Serbian Army’s capabilities, where their new military acquisition, the FK-3 anti-aircraft missile system from China, was presented. This FK-3 surface to air missile system is the export version of the HQ-22 surface to air missile system developed by Jiangnan Space Industry of China. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said that this equipment would modernise their military capacity and represents a powerful deterrent against potential threats.

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Poland to Bolster Western Presence in the Baltic Sea with Three Additional Mine Countermeasures Vessels

During the last week of March 2022, various sources reported the capture of a Russian advanced electronic warfare system (EWS) by Ukrainian forces. According to Insider and The Time of London, the Ukrainian armed forces identified an abandoned, damaged container covered by tree branches between the town of Makariv and Kyiv. The container was eventually identified as the command post of one of the most advanced Russian EWS, the 1RL257 Krasukha-4.

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