General Enrique Fernández Ambel has been appointed director of Security and Planning at the Spanish Space Agency (AEE), taking responsibility for a portfolio focused on space-sector security and planning. His appointment was formalised by the agency following an open selection process, with the post becoming effective in early October 2026.
Fernández Ambel moderated a defence panel addressing European strategic autonomy and competitiveness, alongside INTA director-general Lieutenant General Enrique Campo, MESPA commander Colonel Francisco José Rubio Bravo and Joint Cyberspace Command officer Commander Álvaro González.
The discussion examined the need for effective command and control of satellite services rather than satellite availability alone. Participants also highlighted resilient space architectures that reduce dependence on a single ground station, communications link or supplier, as well as public research to mature emerging technologies and lower technology risks for industry.
The appointment places Fernández Ambel in a senior AEE role at a time when defence and civil authorities are focusing on the resilience, independence and operational usefulness of Europe’s space infrastructure.