Alexandros K. Kolovos

Professor Emeritus @HellenicAirForce Academy. Brigadier-General, HAF (Ret). Former Head of National Centre for Space Applications (1992-2006). Space Security.

[Alexandros K. Kolovos @CSDP_Space]

Grateful to @LoukasKatsonis and @policyjournalGR for making the English translation of our 2025 article “Commercial Satellite Imagery in Crisis Situations” openly available. https://t.co/ZzUsH2Kdpu
The July 2026 Council Decision has given the subject renewed relevance, and it is useful that the analysis is now accessible beyond the original Hellenic print edition. @eu_eeas @defis_eu @eusatcen @EUCouncil
@EUDefenceAgency @CopernicusEU @EU4Space
@esa @Hellenic_MOD @GreeceMFA @MinDigitalGr
@HAFspokesperson @SpaceNews_Inc @CSDP_Space

[Alexandros K. Kolovos @CSDP_Space]

While the immediate reaction focuses on the possible erosion of Copernicus’ free and open data principle, less discussed is the internal procedure behind the decision, the criteria that triggered it, and what it reveals about the importance of keeping diplomatic channels open — especially between the US and the EU.

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1159/2013 already defined clear criteria for restricting access: Article 12 states that where open dissemination presents an unacceptable degree of risk to the security interests of the Union or its Member States, the Commission shall restrict it. Articles 13 and 14 list the sensitivity criteria, including the time between acquisition and dissemination, and the likely use of the data for tactical or operational activities harming the security interests of the Union or of international partners.

Council Decision (CFSP) 2021/698 established the responsibilities of the Council and the High Representative to issue provisional instructions when the development, operation or use of systems and services under the Union Space Programme (including Copernicus) may affect the security of the EU.

In July 2026 the "Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/1716 on instructions concerning the security of systems and services deployed, operated and used under the Union Space Programme and the Union Secure Connectivity Programme" pressed that legal button for the first time in a high-profile case — one tied to an active, ongoing conflict: the region covered by the delay is the shipping route to and from the Strait of Hormuz, relevant to the US-Iran war.

The incident connects two earlier analytical threads in the literature. A 2016 study on the uncontrolled dissemination of high-resolution satellite imagery concluded that, since technological diffusion cannot be reversed, controlling its release becomes a matter of when, not whether (https://t.co/pksBa50AKq). A 2025 empirical study of commercial satellite imagery in crisis situations (in Greek) found that decisions to withhold data are political decisions, even when framed as "standard practice": https://t.co/pkujQMlQ1E

The 2026 incident brings both threads together. Copernicus has demonstrated its value as a security-relevant asset during the war in Ukraine. The Gulf of Oman case shows that this value can now be operationalised responsibly when an ally raises a legitimate concern. Rather than treating the request as a threat to its open-data principles, the EU applied its safeguards precisely as intended.

It's also a data point on the US-EU relationship: despite two years of public friction, diplomatic channels moved quickly on a live security matter, in a region where the EU has its own stakes. Whether that reflects a solid alliance is fair to ask — but here, "don't listen to what I say, watch what I do" cuts in favour of the relationship holding.

@eu_eeas @defis_eu @eusatcen @EUCouncil @EUDefenceAgency @CopernicusEU @EU4Space @esa @Hellenic_MOD @GreeceMFA @MinDigitalGr @HAFspokesperson @SpaceNews_Inc

[SpaceNews @SpaceNews_Inc]

EU delays release of Copernicus imagery over Gulf of Oman  https://t.co/By1dyhFuJK

[Alexandros K. Kolovos @CSDP_Space]

Μετά από προσπάθειες ετών εγκρίθηκε η προσφορά ενός επίκαιρου κοινού Προγράμματος Μεταπτυχιακών Σπουδών εξ αποστάσεως «Ασφάλεια και Άμυνα / Security and Defence», μεταξύ της Σχολής Ικάρων και του Ανοικτού Πανεπιστημίου Κύπρου. Το πρόγραμμα καλύπτει σύγχρονες απειλές (κυβερνοπόλεμος, πληροφόρηση, ασύμμετρες απειλές, διαστημικές εφαρμογές).
Λεπτομέρειες: https://t.co/0VaAShT088
@Hellenic_MOD, @hndgspio, @HAFspokesperson @DefenceCyprus @oucyprus @CSDP_Space

[Hellenic Air Force @HAFspokesperson]

Νέο Κοινό Πρόγραμμα Μεταπτυχιακών Σπουδών «Ασφάλεια και Άμυνα / Security & Defence» https://t.co/BmwV9cEHmK

[Hellenic Air Force @HAFspokesperson]

Ολοκλήρωση της Κοινής Διδακτικής Ενότητας στις Διαστημικές Εφαρμογές στην Ασφάλεια και την Άμυνα 2025 – Common Module on Space Applications for Security and Defence https://t.co/dofFQhmFGQ

[Alexandros K. Kolovos @CSDP_Space]

#haf #πολεμικήαεροπορία #ΕορτηΠΑ #HellenicAirForce #ΣχολήΙκάρων #HellenicAirAcademy #AirSpacePower #HellenicMinistryOfDefence #GreeceMFA #MinistryOfDigitalGovernance #HellenicCivilProtection #HellenicAirForce #HellenicAirForceAcademy #HAFWC #SpaceSecurity #HCDI #HellenicSpaceCenter #BEYONDCenter #CSDP #EEAS #EUSPA #EUSATCEN #EU/ENISA #ESDC #ESA #NATO #USAF #FASF#SpaceSecurity #SpaceOperations@Hellenic_MOD @hndgspio @HAFspokesperson

[Alexandros K. Kolovos @CSDP_Space]

To mark the Official Commemoration Day of the Hellenic Air Force, the Hellenic Air Academy (ΑΑΚΕ) has featured the article “Can Air Forces Survive Without Space?” on its official website in both English [https://t.co/ob1yAwUrws] (from the original Hellenic Air Force Review, Issue 134) and Greek [https://t.co/3RTAWQb1Vsείναι-δυνατή-η-επιβίωση-των-πολεμικών-αεροποριών-χωρίς-το-διάστημα/]. It's gratifying to see this piece highlighted now, building on its initial appearance earlier this year.

[Alexandros K. Kolovos @CSDP_Space]

The Hellenic Air Force's move toward an “aerospace power” framework is a logical step forward in meeting these challenges. It calls for both structural changes and a readiness to weave in space capabilities effectively. With its strong track record and early embrace of space-based ISR, the HAF is poised to play a prominent role in space operations. Warmest wishes to the Hellenic Air Force on its Commemoration Day—celebrating its enduring legacy of innovation and preparedness for aerospace power

[Hellenic Air Force @HAFspokesperson]

Now available Air Force Review No. 134 on Space Security 📖
➡️ https://t.co/wrEBBujIZS

#SpaceSecurity #MultipolarWord #HAFReview #NATO #EU

[Hellenic Air Force @HAFspokesperson]

Ημερίδα της ΣΠΠΑ με θέμα «Επερχόμενες & Ανατρεπτικές Τεχνολογίες στον Χώρο της Άμυνας» https://t.co/6aoWikzP6A

[Alexandros K. Kolovos @CSDP_Space]

My article, 'Revisiting the Role of Space in European Security 20 Years After: A Practitioner’s Perspective,' is now available online in Space Policy.
It examines the evolution of European space security since 2002, offering insights—drawn from my direct experience—relevant to the current security landscape, particularly in light of recent EU defence initiatives and the ongoing situation in Ukraine.
Free access until 26 Apr 2025: https://t.co/iuFywMVzKe

@HellenicMod @hndgspio @HAFspokesperson @GreeceMFA @MinDigitalGr @Hcdi_SA @eu_eeas @defis_eu @EUDefenceAgency @EU4Space @eusatcen #EUDefenceIndustry #CSDP #EUSpace #ESA

[Alexandros K. Kolovos @CSDP_Space]

On the occasion of the official Hellenic-French agreement on the Composante Spatiale Optique (CSO) military imaging satellites, signed on 13 December 2024—a landmark achievement equipping the Hellenic Armed Forces with advanced classified intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) capabilities—we present the English translation of an article originally published in Greek in Foreign Affairs - Hellenic Edition on 24 November 2022.

The article is titled “Greece from the Helios-II Satellite Programme to CSO” and you can find it here: https://t.co/gWbHwHeAdo.

The article outlines the historical trajectory of Hellenic-French cooperation in space, which commenced with the Hellenic Air Force in the 1990s, initially leading to the successful utilisation of the military capabilities of Helios-II programme through the cooperation between the two Ministries of Defence.

Subsequently, through the Multinational Space-based Imagery System (MUSIS) initiative of key EU Member States’ Ministries of Defence to produce intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities, as required in the time horizon of 2015–2030, this cooperation led to the successor programme, CSO.

Hellenic MoD now fulfils nearly all operational requirements for space-based ISTAR capabilities and has built a robust foundation of skilled personnel and advanced infrastructure. This positions Greece to address emerging challenges as space security becomes increasingly vital.

@Hellenic_MOD @hndgspio @HAFspokesperson @GreeceMFA @MinDigitalGr @FranceenGrece @DGA @Agence_ID @HellenicGDDIA @Hcdi_SA

#HellenicDefence #FrenchCooperation #CSO #SpacePolicy #ISRCapabilities #NationalSecurity #HeliosII #MUSIS #ΕΛΚΑΚ

[Hellenic Air Force @HAFspokesperson]

Ολοκλήρωση του Διεθνούς Αεροπορικού Εξαμήνου 2024 – 2025 στη ΣΙ https://t.co/pUjMFVNDts

[Alexandros K. Kolovos @CSDP_Space]

"Greece from the Helios-II Satellite Program to CSO", Foreign Affairs - Hellenic Edition, November 2022, (in English) https://t.co/i3g8ePBYmX

[Alexandros K. Kolovos @CSDP_Space]

The Hellenic-French agreement on the Composante Spatiale Optique (#CSO) military imaging satellites stands as a landmark achievement, equipping the Hellenic Armed Forces with cutting-edge classified intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. This milestone represents the culmination of an 18-year collaborative effort, beginning with Greece’s pivotal role in the first-generation French Helios-II program. In 2006, Greece actively participated in the preliminary phase (2006-2007) of the future Multinational Space-based Imaging System (MUSIS, 2015-2030), which ultimately paved the way for the development of the CSO.

Notably, the Hellenic Ministry of Defense (@Hellenic_MOD) remains the sole ministry in Greece to have adopted a comprehensive Space Policy. First established in 1995 and later refined during the Helios-II cooperation, this forward-thinking initiative underscores the Ministry’s commitment to a strategic vision for space. Such foresight ensures sustained advancements in national security and technological innovation, positioning Greece as a proactive contributor to the evolving space security domain.

See: Greece from the Helios-II Satellite Program to CSO, Foreign Affairs - Hellenic Edition, November 2022, (in Greek) https://t.co/2ZT3KIqUZw

@Hellenic_MOD @hndgspio @HAFspokesperson @GreeceMFA @MinDigitalGr @FranceenGrece @Hcdi_SA @e_amyna

#HellenicDefense #FrenchCooperation #CSO #SpacePolicy #ISRCapabilities #NationalSecurity #HeliosII #MUSIS #ΕΛΚΑΚ

[e-Αmyna @e_amyna]

Εξέλιξη τεραστίων διαστάσεων: Υπογράφηκε η συμφωνία για την Ελληνική συμμετοχή στο Γαλλικό πρόγραμμα τηλεπισκόπησης Composante Spatiale Optique (CSO), μέσω του οποίου οι Ελληνικές Ένοπλες Δυνάμεις αποκτούν πρόσβαση σε εξαιρετικά υψηλής ευκρίνειας δεδομένα από στρατιωτικούς δορυφόρους 3ης Γενιάς. Tο πρόγραμμα CSO θεωρείται καλύτερο από το Helios-II: προσφέρει μεγαλύτερο αριθμό εικόνων, με υψηλότερη διακριτική ικανότητα και ταχύτερη πρόσβαση σε πληροφορίες, χωρίς να έχει κάποιους από τους χωρικούς περιορισμούς για την λήψη εικόνων σε περίπτωση άλλων κοντινών αιτημάτων από άλλους εταίρους.

Η συμφωνία υπογράφηκε από τον Γενικό Διευθυντή ΓΔΑΕΕ Υποστράτηγο Ιωάννη Μπούρα και τον Γάλλο ομόλογό του Αντιστράτηγο Gaël Diaz De Tuesta κατά τη διάρκεια του 1ου Ελληνο-Γαλλικού Συμποσίου Αμυντικής Καινοτομίας, παρουσία του ΥΕΘΑ και της Πρέσβειρας της Γαλλίας.

Προηγήθηκαν:
• Η υπογραφή του κειμένου «Κατευθυντήριων Οδηγιών για την Αναβάθμιση της Ελληνογαλλικής Στρατιωτικής Συνεργασίας» από τον Αρχηγό ΓΕΕΘΑ Στρατηγό Κων/νο Φλώρο και τον Γάλλο ομόλογό του Thierry Burkhard στην Αθήνα την 21η Ιανουαρίου 2022.
• Η έγκριση της ελληνικής συμμετοχής στο πρόγραμμα CSO αξίας 119.800.000 ευρώ από την αρμόδια κοινοβουλευτική Επιτροπή στη συνεδρίαση της 23ης Οκτωβρίου 2023.