Defence`s Feeds

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The European Defence Agency (EDA) has brought together two EU Member States to develop a satellite demonstrator that can manoeuvre from Low Earth Orbit  (LEO) to Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO)  – and back again. 

The €10 million project – called LEO2VLEO: Military Crisis-Response Satellite Constellation – with the Netherlands and Austria, will design, develop, launch and operate a constellation of between two and four satellites. It aims for a space launch in two years time. In this innovative approach to space, the project will, once operational, have the capability to support military operations. 

The project was signed on 19 January 2024 between the Netherlands, Austria, and EDA. It was signed in EDA’s Capability Technology Area (CapTech) Space, which helped bring the two countries together for this collaborative project. EDA will support the project throughout.

Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) is most commonly situated at an altitude of between 250-350 kilometres. It has the advantage of being closer to the earth than the traditional orbit of satellites, allowing for higher resolution images from optical sensors, improved communications and agility.

As a demonstrator for initial space capabilities, the LEO2VLEO project aims to show the cost benefits of such an approach in a short timeframe. While VLEO is safer from collisions with space debris because objects eventually burn up, dragged into the Earth’s atmosphere, such altitudes require satellites to deal with surface erosion from atomic oxygen and so need more resistant materials. 

Developing a satellite able to manoeuvre back into the traditional Low Earth Orbit (LEO) would extend its lifespan by spending time in VLEO only when necessary, as well as presenting lower costs and additional launch opportunities.

EDA Hub for EU Defence Innovation, known as HEDI, has funded a preliminary study for this problem; HEDI was established within EDA in 2022 to foster innovative solutions for military capabilities. If successful, the LEO2VLEO demonstrator could pave the way for a fully operational system to support military missions in the future.

EDA's wider role  

EDA supports its 27 Member States in improving their defence capabilities through European cooperation. Acting as an enabler and facilitator for Ministries of Defence willing to engage in collaborative capability projects, the Agency has become the hub for European defence cooperation with expertise and networks allowing it to the whole spectrum of defence capabilities.  

Member States use EDA as an intergovernmental expert platform where their collaborative projects are supported, facilitated, and implemented. For more details, please see here.

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Greece has become an official member of the EDA programme arrangement - C-27J Spartan Cooperation. From March, Greece will be part of efforts to enhance the operational and logistical capabilities of participating Member States' fleets of C-27J tactical military airlifters. The Hellenic Airforce will participate for the first time with an aircraft in the upcoming European Spartan Exercise 2024. Greece is also now part of EDA’s Multilateral Air Transport Training and Exercises Initiative as its 19th participating member.  

Sixth member of the C-27J Spartan cooperation programme 

The C-27J programme, which entered into force in 2020, focuses on areas such as equipment improvement, training, operational harmonisation, and increased fleet availability through optimised logistics solutions. Bringing together Bulgaria, Italy, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and now also Greece, the programme encourages the exchange of data and collaboration among Member States using the same platform, to achieve common objectives while avoiding duplication of efforts.

The admission of Greece was formalised through a ‘Statement of Accession’ signed by the Minister of National Defence, marking the country's commitment to the cooperative endeavour. The European Spartan Exercise 2024, which mark the first participation of a Hellenic Air Force aircraft, will take place in Romania from 30 September to 11 October 2024.  It will build upon the track record of the 2023 and 2022 editions, held in Romania and Bulgaria respectively.

Greece joins the Multilateral Air Transport Training and Exercises Initiative

Continuing the trend of collaborative European efforts in the air domain, Greece has taken a significant step by joining the Technical Arrangement (TA) regarding Multilateral Air Transport Training and Exercises. This initiative, launched in May 2018, aims to streamline and enhance training and exercise opportunities among EDA’s Member States. 

The decision to establish a common TA stemmed from the recognition of the cumbersome process involved in drafting individual agreements for each training and exercise event. Since its inception, the common TA has garnered significant support, with 18 Member States already on board. They are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Germany, Spain, Finland, France, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia.

Greece's accession to the common TA as its 19th member, was signed by the Minister of National Defence of Greece, confirming the country's active participation. This initiative represents a milestone in fostering training, exercises, and interoperability across Europe.

EDA's wider role

EDA supports its 27 Member States in improving their defence capabilities through European cooperation. Acting as an enabler and facilitator for Ministries of Defence willing to engage in collaborative capability projects, the Agency has become the hub for European defence cooperation with expertise and networks allowing it to the whole spectrum of defence capabilities. 

Member States use EDA as an intergovernmental expert platform where their collaborative projects are supported, facilitated, and implemented. For more details, please see here. 

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