NATO Proposes "StarLift" Space Security Cooperation to Four Countries Including South Korea and Japan

Nikkei: "Japanese Government Shows Positive Stance"

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has proposed that South Korea, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand participate in the "StarLift" initiative, which involves cooperation on satellite launches and related activities, according to a report by Nikkei on May 10.

Mark Rutte, Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Photo by Yonhap News Agency

According to the report, NATO recently asked its four Indo-Pacific partners—South Korea, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand—to jointly engage in the StarLift project. The goal of StarLift is to enable partner countries to cooperate in launching replacement satellites and rapidly restoring satellite networks in the event of issues with satellites themselves or with launch facilities.

NATO established this plan in 2024 in response to increasing military use of outer space by China and Russia, who are advancing their reconnaissance satellite operations and satellite attack capabilities. Currently, more than ten major European allies, including France, Germany, and Italy, are already participating. Nikkei also reported that the Japanese government has responded positively to NATO's proposal and has begun inter-ministerial discussions to coordinate the details.

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