Kubilius visits the Argotec SpacePark
Date of the event:
On 13 November 2026 the European Commissioner for Defence and Space, Andrius Kubilius, visited the Argotec SpacePark in Turin, meeting ceo David Avino. The visit is part of the Commissioner's Italian «Launch Tour» programme, dedicated to the space domain and its role for the European Union's autonomy, security and resilience [1][2].
The visit
During the meeting Argotec presented the Commissioner with its integrated, end-to-end industrial model, which includes the design and series production of satellites, in-orbit operations and data processing to extract strategic and operational information. The company acts as a capability provider, developing capabilities for civil, scientific and defence missions, including satellites and constellations dedicated to Earth observation [1][2].
Among the topics covered during the Launch Tour are also ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) technologies, which combine Earth imagery, monitoring of the electromagnetic spectrum and electronic intelligence capabilities, in an interconnected architecture designed to meet European security and defence needs [1].
Statements
Andrius Kubilius said: «Space is a strategic factor for European competitiveness and defence. Argotec and its SpacePark are concrete proof of this. A project that has received a boost thanks to Italy's national recovery and resilience plan, showing how the space sector is rapidly transforming to strengthen European autonomy and sovereignty. The acceleration in satellite production and the increased frequency of space launches go hand in hand and are two fundamental pillars of European leadership in space» [1][2].
David Avino, ceo of Argotec, commented: «Europe's sovereignty in space depends not only on the ability to reach orbit, but also on knowing how to design, produce, operate and, when necessary, rapidly reconstitute strategic capabilities for the whole Union. The discussion with the Commissioner was an opportunity to talk about how to turn European technological excellence into operational capabilities» [2].
Context
The visit to Turin reinforces the line set out by Kubilius at the Paris summit on 10 September 2026, where he said it is impossible to defend Europe without space. Among the European Union's priorities recalled during the Launch Tour are secure connectivity, Earth observation services, shared governance for protecting space infrastructure through the European Space Shield, and shared procurement to accelerate European production [1].
Sources
- Il commissario Ue Kubilius in visita allo SpacePark di Torino — TorinoOggi, 13 November 2026
- Commissario Ue alla Difesa visita Argotec a Torino — ANSA Piemonte, 13 November 2026