The debate surrounding SpaceX’s participation in the SICRAL program brings to light an old tension between technological sovereignty and strategic pragmatism. The Italian government’s proposal to modernize its space infrastructure, while also considering collaborations with foreign companies, highlights the challenges of European autonomy in defense and telecommunications.
Criticism grows over strategic risk with SpaceX involvement
Italy’s main opposition Democratic Party (PD) has warned Giorgia Meloni’s ruling coalition against involving Elon Musk’s SpaceX in the update of a satellite programme, parliamentary documents show, saying the move would pose national security risks. A lower house defence committee approved this week a government proposal that includes replacing an old satellite system, named SICRAL, with a new one.
The system, first launched in 2001, has been developed by Telespazio and Thales Alenia Space, two joint ventures between Italy’s aerospace and defence group Leonardo LDOF.MI and France’s Thales TCFP.PA. The PD asked the government to make clear that SpaceX would not be called in to help launch the SICRAL 3 satellite into orbit. Defence Undersecretary Isabella Rauti said the administration would assess its options, but SpaceX was the most advanced company available on the market.
Opposition defends European autonomy in defense projects
“We only want Italian or European companies to be involved in a security matter such as SICRAL,” PD lawmaker and defence committee member Stefano Graziano told Reuters. His party abstained from the vote.
The Democratic Party’s stance reinforces a growing trend within Europe: prioritizing domestic and European suppliers in sensitive projects, such as defense and strategic communications. The insistence on limiting the participation of companies from outside the continent reflects both a legitimate concern for data protection and an attempt to stimulate the development of domestic industrial capabilities.
Europe seeks alternatives to reduce dependence on US companies
Italy’s opposition parties have repeatedly urged the government to prevent Musk and his companies from becoming involved in sensitive national security matters, amid growing concerns over the broad influence he wields through his powerful Starlink satellite service. Europe has been urgently rushing to find viable alternatives to SpaceX’s advanced low-orbit satellites for communications and intelligence, while simultaneously launching new platforms to ensure truly independent access to space, as key pan-European projects still lag significantly behind.
The delay in European space projects like IRIS², compared to SpaceX’s technological maturity, highlights the continent’s difficulties in competing independently in this sector. Even so, there is a coordinated movement by the European Union to accelerate investments and consolidate its own solutions, aiming to avoid strategic vulnerabilities in an increasingly tense global context.
Musk, a friend of Prime Minister Meloni, held talks with Italian officials over a potential telecommunications contract, but discussions stalled earlier this year amid mounting political controversy.
“The deployment of the SICRAL 3 satellite addresses the need to strengthen national connectivity and provide Italy with strategic independence in long-range communications,” Rauti told Reuters.
Billion-dollar investment and ambitious goals for the new SICRAL generation
SpaceX did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment on this story. The SICRAL system uses geostationary satellites for confidential strategic and tactical communications to support defense missions both in Italy and abroad. The Italian government will invest a total 7of 67 million euros ($878 million) through 2028 in the programme, the documents show. Rauti said the new satellite would be launched by the first half of 2027.
The future of the SICRAL program will be decisive in defining Italy’s degree of technological independence in the space sector. How the government handles internal and external pressures when selecting its strategic partners could not only influence national security but also signal the role Italy aspires to play in European space policy.
GCN.com/Reuters