Navigating Great Power Competition in Outer Space: Strategies of Middle Powers, the EU, India, and Japan

Abstract

The emergence of outer space as a key arena of competition in the ongoing geopolitical rivalry between the United States and China has raised serious concerns for space security, while also resulting in an intensification of competition between the two powers to shape the rules and norms for the governance of the domain. The changing geopolitical dynamics have led to strategic concerns among Middle Powers in space, namely, the European Union (EU), India, and Japan, resulting in a reconfiguration of their space policies, postures, and partnerships as they seek to deal with the implications of Great Power competition in space and safeguard their interests. In examining their evolving space strategies, the paper argues that the emerging security dilemma(s) in outer space, fueled by great power rivalry, have pushed these powers to place greater emphasis on the security dimension of space. Additionally, it has also led them to adopt a much more proactive and participatory stance in the ongoing contest for influence over rules and norms for space governance. Ultimately, the paper contends that the transition to a multi-polar space order intersecting with Great Power competition has not only intensified militarisation and weaponisation of outer space but has also hampered efforts at formulating international rules and norms for space governance.