In a joint statement published on 16 June, Arianespace and Avio have called for European missions to be launched aboard European rockets.
The statement was presented on the first day of the Paris Air Show, being held in Le Bourget from 16 to 22 June. The statement warned that without “sustained support,” European rocket builders were at risk of losing out to institutionally backed competitors from the US.
“Major space powers support their industries through stable and guaranteed institutional markets, enabling long-term investments, innovation, and the preservation of leadership,” explained the statement. “In the United States, for example, the US Space Force recently allocated around $14 billion to fund 54 missions entrusted to three US operators. The procurement of launch services at such high levels generates an annual surplus of between $600 million and $800 million for each operator compared to market prices. This windfall enables these companies to expand and offer launches at low prices to international clients, including European ones.”
The pair argue that Europe risks falling behind not due to a lack of technical capability, but because of structural market weaknesses. While Ariane 6 and Vega-C have demonstrated competitiveness and reliability, they caution that this progress is fragile in the absence of guaranteed long-term demand.
While a preference for European launch providers is clearly in the best interest of both Avio and Arianespace, the pair did reserve a slice for new entrants to the market.
“Enshrining European preference as an untouchable principle would support not only Ariane and Vega, but also foster the development of emerging projects in the small launcher sector.”
The statement also positioned France and Italy as key actors capable of spearheading a collective European approach, citing the longstanding partnership between the two nations in the development of Ariane and Vega. They framed this partnership as a model for broader European collaboration, though notably omitted mention of Germany, a key contributor to both programmes.
The timing of this statement is not arbitrary. It comes as Europe approaches two decisive moments: the upcoming ESA Ministerial-Level Council meeting and the adoption of the European Union’s Multiannual Financial Framework for the 2028–2034 period. As a result, the statement argues, this is the ideal and potentially last opportunity to “permanently embed the principle of European preference” at the core of the continent’s space policy.
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