NATO intends to integrate outer space into the alliance's collective security and defense system together with cyberspace, as well as the sea, air and land environment
BRUSSELS, January 17. /tass/. NATO has decided to extend the principles of collective defense to outer space, including the application of the fifth article of the Washington Treaty, including a collective military response to an attack on one of the alliance countries. This is stated in the "Comprehensive NATO Policy in Space" published on Monday.
"At the Brussels summit in 2021, the allies agreed that attacks in space, from space <...> represent a clear challenge to the security of the North Atlantic Alliance, the consequences of which can threaten national and Euro-Atlantic prosperity, security and stability and can be as harmful to modern societies as a conventional attack. Such attacks may lead to the application of the fifth article [of the NATO Charter] (on collective defense - approx. TASS). The decision on when such attacks will lead to the application of the fifth article will be made by the North Atlantic Council on a case-by-case basis," it says.
The document emphasizes that NATO intends to integrate outer space into the alliance's collective security and defense system together with cyberspace, as well as the sea, air and land environment. "Space is a global environment. Any conflict spreading in space can affect all users of this space. Even in cases where NATO is not involved in the conflict, the allies' space systems may be affected," it says.
At the same time, NATO notes that the alliance's activities in space will be carried out within the framework of international law. "Free access, exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes meet the common interests of the entire global community. NATO and its allies will carry out their activities in the interests of maintaining peace and security and promoting international cooperation," it stresses.
The strategy also states that NATO does not intend to become an "autonomous player in space." "NATO does not seek to become an autonomous player in space. NATO will coordinate the activities of its allies, interact with relevant international organizations, including the UN and the EU," the alliance emphasizes.
NATO's policy in space will be one of the main topics of the alliance's summit in June 2022 in Madrid. As expected, this issue will be reflected in the new concept of NATO, which should be approved at the upcoming meeting of the leaders of the alliance countries.
