France Launches ‘Space Pact’ to Strengthen Civil-Military Cooperation in Space Sector

The French Armaments Agency (DGA) formally launched the “Space Pact” on October 7 to reinforce cooperation between France’s Ministry of the Armed Forces and the national space industry.

The pact, initially signed on June 17 at the Paris Air Show, represents a coordinated effort to align civil and military objectives in the country’s growing space sector.

Led by the DGA with support from the French Aeronautics and Space Industries Association (GIFAS) and the New Space France Alliance (ANF), it brings together state and private stakeholders including CNES and Onera. The pact seeks to create a structured dialogue to meet defense needs while maintaining national sovereignty in space capabilities.

According to the DGA, the initiative will facilitate collaboration on innovation, strategic planning, and export policies. More than 50 companies are part of the pact, which is expected to accelerate technology development, strengthen industrial competitiveness, and enhance responsiveness to operational demands.

The French space industry employs over 60,000 people and has a presence across the full production chain, from satellite design to launch systems. Officials say the pact will help sustain this industrial base while enabling faster innovation cycles, particularly in the emerging “New Space” market.

The Space Pact also draws inspiration from the earlier “drone pact,” introducing regular meetings to maintain close coordination between the Ministry and industry. Participants will work alongside the “space circle of trust,” led by the Space Command (CDE) of the Air and Space Force, which defines operational requirements for military missions in space.

A DGA spokesperson said the initiative reflects France’s intent to “equip forces to operate in, to, and from space while preserving sovereignty and resilience against emerging threats.”