U.S. and Allied Nations Strengthen Space Security Cooperation at CSpO Summit in France

By Amr Gohar

U.S. military leaders joined counterparts from nine allied nations this week at the new French Space Command Headquarters to reaffirm their joint commitment to defending shared space interests through the Combined Space Operations (CSpO) Initiative.

According to the Pentagon press release, the CSpO coalition — which includes Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States — is focused on strengthening deterrence, interoperability, and collective space warfighting capabilities amid rapidly growing global threats.

The U.S. delegation was led by Gen. Chance Saltzman, Chief of Space Operations for the U.S. Space Force; Gen. Stephen Whiting, Commander of U.S. Space Command and Operation Olympic Defender; and Robert Brose, Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Space and Missile Defense.

“Our opponents are moving at jaw-dropping speed, and we must match that pace with integrated coalition capabilities that deter aggression and defend our interests,” Whiting said.

Reflecting Secretary Hegseth’s directive to restore a robust warfighting ethos, U.S. officials urged partners to adopt practical measures to enhance coalition spacepower, refine policies, and expand operational cooperation.

Saltzman emphasized that addressing a contested space environment requires deeper integration among allies. “We must collaborate on our architectures and integrate our training, exercises, and operations,” he said.

Delegates also highlighted rising risks to commercial and military space assets, such as orbital debris and potential weapons of mass destruction in orbit. Brose underscored the U.S. commitment to defending national interests beyond Earth: “Just as our military defends our freedom on earth, it will protect and defend our interests in space.”

All ten nations reaffirmed their commitment to responsible space operations and pledged to challenge actors who undermine the safety and stability of the orbital domain. The CSpO Initiative will continue preparing allied forces to deter conflict and prevail in space.