Brussels, 27–28 January 2026 – The Italian Air Force participated in the 18th edition of European Space Conference, the main European event dedicated to the evolution of policies and capabilities in the space domain. The event annually brings together representatives from EU Institutions, Member States, Armed Forces, industry sector and academia.
The Conference was a moment of particular significance for sharing the national vision in a context where Space is now recognised as operational domain and an essential enabler for collective security and defence.
The Italian delegation saw the participation of Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Air Marshal Antonio Conserva, and of Commander of the Aerospace Operations Command (COA), Air Vice-Marshall Luca Maineri, speaking on the panel “Conversation between Space Commanders”, in which the Italian approach to the conduct of space operations was highlighted, based on multi-domain integration, inter-institutional coordination, and the strengthening of synergies with European and allied partners.
The plenary session on January 28th featured speeches by prominent authorities from the European space sector, including Vanessa Matz, Minister for Public Administration of Belgium, Josef Aschbacher, Director-General of the ESA, and Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission.
Of particular note is the intervention by General SA Antonio Conserva, which outlined the current strategic landscape, describing the evolution from a phase of mere “awareness” to the recognition of Space as an effective warfighting domain. The analysis highlighted critical issues connected, in particular, to the ambiguity of threats and orbital congestion: “Firstly, we face difficulties concerning activities in the electromagnetic and cyber spectrum perpetrated by hostile actors and aimed at disruption and deception, as well as conduct in orbit with increasingly ambiguous objectives: approaches and manoeuvres that jeopardise the security and stability of strategic European space infrastructure. Secondly, congestion. The crowding of orbits means that flight safety (Space Safety) becomes inseparable from the defence of assets (Space Security).”
During the keynote address, the Chief of Staff then outlined the strategic priorities, articulating them into several lines of action and drawing the attention of the European space community to decisive choices for the future of the sector: “It is It is necessary for the EU to release its reservations on its ambition, deciding whether to limit itself to ensuring the survival of satellite assets or to pursue Space Superiority characterised by a more assertive posture. A reflection is needed on the development of proprietary deterrence and Counter-Space capabilities, assessing the risks associated with dependence on third parties.”.
The importance of preserving the centrality of the transatlantic relationship was also reaffirmed, structuring a constant dialogue with NATO for the definition of common standards and to ensure full interoperability.
In closing, the General Store stated: “If we accept that space is a warfighting domain, we must also accept the responsibilities that come with it: readiness without provocation, resilience without fragility, and deterrence without escalation. The future of space security will belong to those who can understand fastest, endure longest, and act united. Let's ensure Europe is among them.”.
Within the scope of Defence space governance, the Air Force confirms its role as Lead Service For the space domain, responsible for developing the future capabilities necessary for the protection of in-orbit infrastructure, assets of growing strategic importance for the Country System. The Armed Force continues, in synergy with other Ministries and national and international Agencies, the activity aimed at defining shared operational standards, also with a view to dual use (Dual-Use).
