The new space wars: lessons from Ukraine and the Middle East

spacenews.com Jul 31, 2026

The new space wars: lessons from Ukraine and the Middle East

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Jul 31, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Recent conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East demonstrate that space capabilities are increasingly critical to modern warfare, surpassing their role in the 1991 Gulf War. In Ukraine, commercial satellite internet service Starlink preserved essential communications and command structures despite Russian cyberattacks and electronic warfare. Meanwhile, Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) now support drone operations, force coordination, and long-range precision strikes. The U.S. and Israel utilized these systems against Iranian targets, while Iran potentially employed China’s BeiDou system to enhance its own missile accuracy. This proliferation means adversaries no longer rely solely on GPS, complicating U.S. efforts to deny satellite navigation access. Consequently, space has become a contested domain where protecting systems and coordinating with the commercial sector are vital for maintaining military effectiveness and denying adversaries operational advantages.

💡 Why It Matters

· The democratization of satellite navigation erodes the United States' historical monopoly on precision strike capabilities.
· Adversaries can now bypass GPS restrictions using alternative systems, forcing a fundamental shift in how military dominance is maintained in space.

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Space Force picks 15 companies for $981 million training range contract

The U.S. Space Force announced that 15 companies have been selected to compete for up to $981 million in orders under the NITE‑STAR contract, a six‑year, indefinite‑delivery, indefinite‑quantity vehicle. The award will fund the National Space Test and Training Complex, a network of physical ranges and simulated environments where operators can practice countering threats to U.S. satellites. The contract’s maximum value is spread across task orders through July 2032, with a five‑year base period and one‑year option. Selected vendors include Amentum, BAE Systems, Boeing, CACI, Firefly Aerospace, L3Harris, Lockheed Martin Space, Northrop Grumman, Pacific Crest Alliance, Parsons Government Services, Redwire, Rocket Lab, Sierra Space, Viasat, and York Space Systems.

💡 By creating a realistic, live‑virtual‑constructive training environment, the Space Force aims to prepare operators for high‑speed, high‑distance space conflicts that current classroom‑based training cannot simulate. This initiative addresses a critical capability gap, enabling safer, more effective rehearsal of tactics against sophisticated adversary threats.

spacenews.com · Jul 31

Inside the effort to show Congress what war in space looks like

The Space Force Association unveiled the National Spacepower Center, an unclassified digital simulation hub designed to illustrate space warfare to Congress and the public. The prototype, demonstrated on July 21 in Arlington, Virginia, used Sedaro’s software to model a “space dogfight” where an adversary satellite jammed a U.S. missile‑tracking satellite, then a friendly craft intercepted the threat. The display compresses orbital maneuvers—engine burns and timing—into an immersive visual narrative, showing how space actions can disrupt ground, sea, and air operations.

💡 By translating complex orbital dynamics into a clear, interactive format, the center equips lawmakers with a tangible understanding of space threats, enabling informed oversight and resource allocation for national security.

spacenews.com · Jul 31

Spain commits up to $2.3 billion for national military communications for IRIS²

The Spanish government announced a commitment of between €1.6 billion and €2 billion to build a national military satellite‑communications constellation that can be integrated into the EU’s forthcoming IRIS² multi‑orbit network. The funding, presented at the July 29 meeting of Spain’s National Committee for Technological Security and Sovereignty, will cover the space segment, ground‑control infrastructure and lifecycle operations of the “Multi‑Orbit SATCOM SMP.” While the exact number of satellites has not been disclosed, the project aligns with Spain’s broader defence modernisation plan, which includes 15 special modernisation programmes for 2026 and a National LEO Capability programme for 2027. European Defence and Space Commissioner Andrius Kubilius praised the move as part of growing member‑state interest in the €10.6 billion IRIS² effort, which aims to deliver secure governmental communications and broadband connectivity across Europe by 2030.

💡 Spain’s investment accelerates the EU’s push for independent, secure satellite communications, reducing reliance on commercial constellations and strengthening European strategic autonomy.

americanthinker.com · Jul 31

Quantum Computing Is The Next Technological Horizon – Articles

Nations are currently racing for supremacy in quantum computing, a field promising exponential scaling similar to the transition from ENIAC to modern smartphones. This technology utilizes qubits, which leverage quantum mechanics to exist in multiple states simultaneously, enabling complex calculations in molecular design, physics, and economic modeling. By 2035, the industry could reach $1.3 trillion. President Trump has initiated public-private partnerships to maintain U.S. leadership. Key initiatives include the Department of Energy’s Genesis Mission, operating 15 quantum computers with IBM, and a $1.25 million DARPA agreement with PsiQuantum for hardware evaluation. Collaborations involve IBM, Cleveland Clinic, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory working on fusion-energy fuel configurations. Unlike classical bits or AI’s statistical pattern recognition, quantum computing processes vast possibilities concurrently. As nations compete, the U.S. aims to secure its position through strategic investments and research integration, addressing critical challenges across various sectors while navigating the early stages of this transformative technological horizon.

💡 The race for quantum supremacy dictates future dominance in critical sectors like energy and defense. Securing this advantage ensures national security and economic leadership in an era where computational power defines global influence.

quantumcomputingreport.com · Jul 31

U.S. Naval Research Laboratory Outlines Strategic Quantum Research Priorities

The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) has released the operational roadmap for its Quantum Science Institute (QSI), aligning research with Executive Order 14413. Established in June 2025, the QSI centralizes quantum information science and technology development across defense, academic, and commercial partners. The institute focuses on four core thrusts: Sensing, Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) using cold-atom systems for GPS-denied environments; Quantum Computing & Algorithms for logistics and weather forecasting; Quantum Networking Infrastructure via the DC-QNet consortium; and Foundational Materials & Photonics for ruggedized hardware. This initiative supports the Department of Defense’s Quantum and Battlefield Information Dominance priority. By bridging scientific discovery with operational needs, the QSI aims to build an onshore quantum workforce through fellowships and partnerships, ensuring U.S. technological capabilities in contested maritime and defense environments.

💡 The roadmap shifts quantum research from theoretical exploration to immediate military utility, specifically targeting GPS-denied navigation and secure communications. This strategic pivot ensures the Navy can maintain operational dominance even when traditional infrastructure is compromised or contested.

newkerala.com · Jul 30

IAF Chief’s Bold Vision for India-Made Drone Ecosystem

Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh announced a comprehensive plan to build a fully domestic drone ecosystem for the Indian Air Force (IAF). He unveiled the Directorate of Aerospace Design to liaise directly with startups and set up Dronathon 2026, a live‑demo competition that bypasses conventional paperwork. Singh emphasized that every component of the drone supply chain must be produced in India to avoid security risks from foreign dependencies. He warned that bureaucratic delays could jeopardize national defense and called for a national effort to accelerate technology adoption.

💡 By demanding an indigenous drone supply chain, the IAF aims to reduce reliance on foreign vendors and accelerate rapid deployment of unmanned systems, directly affecting India’s strategic readiness.