Europe needs to abandon grand schemes to make a quantum leap in space, according to Michael Schöllhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space. In a pointed critique, he warned that overly complex and politically inflated programmes are holding back Europe’s ability to compete in the global space race.
Schöllhorn identified major structural delays, bureaucratic red tape, and a lack of executable roadmaps as key reasons Europe continues to fall behind rivals such as the U.S. and China. Despite strong engineering talent and growing budgets, the continent is still years away from fielding space-based capabilities that other powers already have in orbit.
He specifically highlighted the EU’s IRIS² satellite constellation — envisioned as a sovereign European response to Starlink — as a case study in inefficiency. Slated for full operation only by 2029, it arrives too late to be relevant in the current defence innovation cycle. Schöllhorn argued that programmes like IRIS² prioritize visibility and symbolism over the delivery of fast-track capabilities.
This is not just a matter of speed. The Airbus executive emphasized that if Europe is serious about sovereignty in space, then it must stop building overly idealistic, consensus-driven mega-projects. Instead, it should shift to modular, scalable systems built on proven technology that can be rapidly upgraded over time.
Schöllhorn’s broader point is about political clarity. Too often, European space programmes begin with political hype but falter during execution due to unclear leadership, fragmented authority, or contradictory stakeholder demands. To abandon grand schemes in favor of making a quantum leap in space means focusing on results—not visions.
Even the recent merger of Airbus, Thales, and Leonardo’s space divisions — aimed at building a competitive European champion — won’t fix structural delays on its own. Europe’s industry still lacks the agility, procurement speed, and defence innovation cycles that define U.S. giants like Lockheed Martin and SpaceX.
He also noted that Europe’s defence investment is not just lower, it’s slower. The EU’s planned €800 billion in defence readiness by 2030 looks promising, but without streamlined procurement and execution, it risks becoming another symbolic pledge rather than a catalyst for dominance in orbit.
For Europe to lead in secure communications, ISR, and satellite defence, it must build faster, test sooner, and deploy incrementally. A phased launch strategy, backed by a centralised EU fast-track regulator, would enable continuous capability growth without sacrificing safety or oversight. Otherwise, the continent will watch innovation happen from the ground while rivals claim orbit.
