Europe is Falling Behind the U.S. and China When it comes to Space Technology

During an interview with CNBC on Tuesday, a senior European defence and space executive said that the U.S. and China are leading the way when it comes to space technology and Europe needs to get their act together if they want to keep up.

For example, China recently made waves with their mission to the far side of the moon. Dirk Hoke, the CEO of Airbus Defense and Space told CNBC during the World Economic Forum in Davos that China’s lunar mission success was not surprising.

Hoke stated that China’s space agency is massive — they employ over 3,000 people, and they invest in all kinds of new technologies. Hoke added that the country is moving very fast.

Hoke cautioned that Europe faced a real risk of falling behind.

He said that it’s critical for Europe to start acting responsibly and figure out a clear vision for European space and for Europe as a supplier because the U.S. and China are definitely moving faster.

Hoke also stated that President Donald Trump is correct in saying that some European countries need to accelerate spending on military defence.

NATO member countries signed up to a “Defense Investment Pledge,” in 2014, to push allies to reverse declines in defence budgets and move toward a target of spending 2% of their gross domestic products (GDP). In 2017, data showed that the U.S. was still way ahead of other countries in the percentage they spend with defence expenditure making up 3.57% of its GDP in 2017.

During that year only three other member countries were able to meet the 2% goal although weighty increases by Germany had happened.

Trump has often criticized European nations for depending on U.S. military might, threatening to pull the U.S. from NATO if others don’t spend more on defence funding.

Hoke stated that Trump is right because it is essential for both security and competitiveness.

He concluded by saying that Europe has to step up and live up to its commitment of 2%. It is also necessary to keep the European defence industry alive by keeping European capabilities on the continent itself.

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