On May 8, 2025, General Chance Saltzman, Chief of Space Operations of the U.S. Space Force (USSF), and General Luca Goretti, Chief of Staff of the Italian Air Force, signed a statement of understanding during the Aerospace Power Conference in Rome, aimed at deepening cooperation in space security. The agreement marks a significant step forward in transatlantic space collaboration amidst increasing militarization of space and rising orbital threats. It builds on an existing framework of military cooperation and lays the groundwork for mutual exchanges of personnel, enhancing both nations’ expertise in space operations.

The partnership seeks to improve interoperability between the U.S. and Italian space forces, aligning their missions, doctrines, and resources. This will help address the growing competition for control of outer space, especially considering the rise of anti-satellite technologies and the proliferation of dual-use commercial space systems. Both nations view this collaboration as crucial to safeguarding secure and sustainable access to space, which is critical for modern military operations, including communications, navigation, and intelligence.

Through this agreement, the U.S. and Italy aim to share space data, strengthen the resilience of their space systems, and improve coordination on space defense, positioning them to better respond to emerging threats. This partnership represents a strategic effort to build a robust space security architecture and may pave the way for future European space sovereignty initiatives.