The French Space Forces Command

France launched its first military exercise in space this week to evaluate its ability to defend its satellites and other defense equipment from an attack. The exercises are part of France's strategy to become the world's third-largest space power. 

"Our allies and adversaries are militarizing space...we need to act," Defense Minister Florence Parly had said in 2019.

Michel Friedling, the head of France's newly created Space Command, said that they were "a first for the French army and even a first in Europe."

The exercise, codenamed "AsterX" will be based on 18 simulated events.

The French Space Forces Command, Commandement de l'Espace (CdE) was created in 2019 and is set to have 500 personnel by 2025. Investments in the space program are set to reach €4.3 billion ($5 billion) in the same six-year period.

France also planned to develop anti-satellite laser weapons and to strengthen surveillance capabilities in an area that it believes could become a major theater of confrontation between powers on Earth.

France conducts first military exercises in space | News | DW | 10.03.2021