Colorado Springs (Agencies): The U.S. Space Force is preparing to roll out a new “International Space Strategy” in the coming weeks, aiming to deepen global military collaboration in orbit amid rising geopolitical tensions and evolving security threats. Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman made the announcement during the annual Space Symposium held in Colorado Springs, underlining that despite strained political ties stemming from recent White House policies, military-to-military cooperation with allies remains strong.
The upcoming strategy is designed around three central goals: empowering allies as force multipliers, enhancing interoperability and intelligence-sharing, and enabling full-spectrum operational integration. Gen. Saltzman stressed the importance of preparing and training with allied forces before crises unfold, advocating for joint planning, synchronized capabilities, and seamless coordination across military space operations.
Although some European nations have ramped up efforts to become more self-reliant in space defense, U.S. officials cautioned against reducing strategic cooperation. Air Marshal Paul Godfrey, a key British advisor to the U.S. Space Force, warned that European allies could face high costs and strategic setbacks without access to American expertise. He emphasized that ongoing partnership is critical to building competent, secure space programs.
Reassuring partners, Gen. Saltzman stated, “We continue to support NATO by providing information through our service components with European Command. Military-to-military, I see business as usual.”
One notable example of this growing collaboration is the first-ever bilateral rendezvous and proximity operation in space between the U.S. and France. Conducted near a spacecraft from a strategic competitor, the operation demonstrated the increasing alignment and capability of NATO members in space deterrence missions.
The event also spotlighted the continued expansion of Operation Olympic Defender, a multinational initiative to enhance space security and coordination. Originally led by the U.S., the coalition now includes Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, and New Zealand. The alliance focuses on improving joint readiness and developing a shared framework to deter hostile activities in orbit.
Gen. Saltzman also underscored the economic and strategic efficiency of a unified approach: “You don’t want to buy two of something when one will do. You don’t want to invest in systems that don’t work together—that creates a seam.” The International Space Strategy is expected to streamline investments, reduce duplication, and prioritize interoperable capabilities across allied forces.
As the space domain grows increasingly contested and congested, the U.S. Space Force’s strategy is poised to serve as a blueprint for sustainable, multinational defense leadership in orbit, ensuring that America’s allies remain tightly integrated in both peacetime preparations and future operational scenarios.