BERLIN 

Germany's defense minister on Thursday warned against Russia and China's growing aerospace capabilities and espionage satellites, saying the country must strengthen its own capabilities to deter potential threats from adversaries.

Speaking at a national space technologies conference, Boris Pistorius said many countries are actively expanding their geopolitical influence in space, where conflicts have evolved from theoretical possibilities to emerging realities.

"Russia and China have rapidly expanded their space warfare capabilities in recent years: They can disrupt, blind, manipulate, or kinetically destroy satellites. In space, there are no borders or continents. There, Russia and China are our direct neighbors," Pistorius said

He also warned that Russia is currently positioning its reconnaissance satellites close to satellites used by the German military and its allies.

"Currently, two IntelSat satellites, which are also used by the German armed forces, are being tracked by two Russian Luch-Olymp reconnaissance satellites," Pistorius said. "This shows how close we are now to real threat situations.”

The minister also announced that the German government plans to invest approximately 35 billion euros ($41 billion) by 2030 for space projects and security architecture. He said the program will enhance orbital surveillance through radars and telescopes, deploy guardian satellites, and develop both defensive and offensive capabilities to deter potential threats.