France and Netherlands Held Defence Talks
The HCSS hosted a high-level summit focused on strengthening European collaboration in the space domain.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Space
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The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies partnered with the French Embassy to hold the second edition of the Franco-Dutch Defence Talks. Participants gathered to discuss space domain awareness and securing freedom of action in orbit.
Why it matters
The talks aimed to explore how European states can improve cooperation in building space domain awareness and ensuring freedom of action in Earth's orbit.
This second iteration of the conference involved a multi-disciplinary panel discussion. Officials from the French Ministry of Defense and the Dutch Space Command participated in the exchange.
The players
François Alabrune
He is the Ambassador of France to the Netherlands who opened the proceedings.
Florence Duveiller
She delivered the keynote address during the defense summit.
Dutch Space Command
This military branch participated in the panel discussions on space cooperation.
French Ministry of Defense
This national government institution provided representatives for the panel discussion.
The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies
This organization acted as the primary host for the defense talks.
The details
The event featured an opening address by French Ambassador François Alabrune and a keynote speech delivered by Florence Duveiller. The discussion focused on the necessity of integrated defense strategies to maintain stability in Earth's orbit.
Timeline
The second Franco-Dutch Defence Talks were held on 7 October 2026.
The third iteration of the talks is planned for 2027.
The Big Picture
The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies maintains a focus on European defense policy, and these talks represent an extension of its institutional mission. The summit follows a pattern set by the center to foster multilateral European security cooperation.
Increased European cooperation in space domain awareness could lead to more robust satellite security and reliable orbital navigation systems for commercial and civil use. These diplomatic efforts ultimately aim to protect the infrastructure that supports modern global communications.
The takeaway
Collaborative defense strategies are increasingly vital for managing activities in Earth's orbit. Countries are prioritizing multilateral partnerships to ensure that space remains a stable and secure domain for all participants.
What happens next
HCSS plans to host the third iteration of the talks in 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in Space.
Source note: This article includes information reported by HCSS.
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