Finance
Space has become 'war-fighting domain' as militaries race to orbit, SES chief says
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 2, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 2, 2026
Quick Summary
SES CEO Adel Al‑Saleh warns that space is now a “war‑fighting domain,” highlighting rising military reliance on satellite networks. SES shares rose 4 % after results, driven by growing demand for sovereign, dual‑use space capabilities amid surging defence spending in Europe and the U.S.
Space Becomes 'War-Fighting Domain' as Militaries Boost Satellite Defence Investments
Militaries Increase Focus on Space-Based Defence Systems
By Leo Marchandon
March 2 (Reuters) - Space has become a war zone demanding military dominance across every orbit, the chief executive of SES said on Monday, as the satellite operator's shares jumped 4% after annual results, reflecting a broader rally in Europe's defence-tied stocks amid an escalating conflict in the Middle East.
Rising Investments in Satellite Defence
Defence investors' focus on space-based missile defence systems, like U.S. President Donald Trump's Golden Dome initiative, is likely to rise as the conflict widens, analysts from Citi said in a note.
Importance of Real-Time Intelligence Sharing
The key for such fast-evolving military systems is real-time intelligence sharing across defence units, SES CEO Adel Al-Saleh said during a post-earnings call.
Case Study: France's Charles de Gaulle Mission
He named France's nuclear aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, which last year led a multi-vessel Pacific Ocean mission relying on SES's satellite networks, as an example of this.
"Space is now a war-fighting domain," Al-Saleh told investors, saying militaries now place similar importance on space capabilities as air superiority, naval power or cybersecurity.
SES's Role in Sovereign Satellite Networks
SES's trump card: offering sovereign network "slices" where governments have full control, he said, adding this service matched Europe's growing appetite for autonomy.
"There is an acceleration across all nations around the world, especially the United States and the European Union, to build up these capabilities at scale," Al-Saleh said.
European Defence and NATO Spending
He said Europe was treating space as essential to NATO spending targets, part of which comes from being able to build independent defence capabilities.
"The outlook is positive and is accelerated with conflicts," Al-Saleh said, though he added that even without conflicts, the buildup of sovereign capability was a priority for many countries.
SES's Strategy for Vertical Integration
SES is planning aggressive vertical integration to "take control over some of the supply chains that are critical for innovation", banking on dual-use as it builds satellites that blend military and commercial capabilities, he said.
(Reporting by Leo Marchandon in Gdansk, editing by Milla Nissi-Prussak.)
Key Takeaways
- •SES shares jumped roughly 4 % post‑earnings, buoyed by heightened investor interest in defence‑linked space assets.
- •Chief executive Adel Al‑Saleh emphasized militaries view space on par with air, naval, or cyber domains and cited sovereign network “slicing” as a growth differentiator.
- •The U.S. Golden Dome missile‑defense initiative underscores rising strategic emphasis on space-based capabilities; SES is positioning itself amid growing European and NATO defence spending.
Frequently Asked Questions about Space has become 'war-fighting domain' as militaries race to orbit, SES chief says
1Why did SES shares jump after annual results?
SES shares rose 4% following strong annual results and growing investor focus on satellite defence systems amid global conflicts.
2How are militaries using satellites in combat?
Militaries are increasingly treating space as a war-fighting domain, relying on satellite networks for real-time intelligence and missile defence.
3What is the significance of sovereign satellite network 'slices'?
Sovereign network 'slices' give governments full control over designated satellite resources, supporting national autonomy in defence.
4How is Europe responding to space militarization?
Europe views space as vital to NATO spending and is investing in independent defence capabilities to support its military autonomy.
5What is SES's strategy for future defence capabilities?
SES plans aggressive vertical integration, blending military and commercial satellite technologies for dual-use applications.
