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US Space Force confirms it has space weapons in orbit to defend against hostile actions from rivals like Russia and China, which also develop space capabilities.
The 1967 Outer Space Treaty bans weapons of mass destruction in orbit, but does not prohibit all conventional military capabilities in space. (AI image)
The United States has confirmed for the first time that it has weapons deployed in space, saying the capabilities are designed to protect American and allied forces from hostile action. The US Space Force said on Monday that the weapons were already in orbit, but did not reveal what type of systems were being deployed.
“The US has on-orbit space control weapons capable of defending the Joint Force against hostile adversary action,” a Space Force spokesperson said.
The force said space-control capabilities could use both “kinetic and non-kinetic means” to affect an adversary and could be used for “offensive and defensive purposes”.
US Confirms On-Orbit Weapons
US Air Force Secretary Troy Meink also confirmed the presence of the weapons during a speech at the Air, Space, Cyber conference.
“Today, we continue to ensure we remain ready to meet the challenges of evolving threats wherever they exist,” Meink said. “This is why the United States now has, on orbit, space-control weapons, capable of defending the joint force against hostile adversaries.”
Meink gave no details about the number, location or type of weapons. The announcement marks a significant public acknowledgement of US military capabilities in orbit, as space increasingly becomes a key part of modern warfare.
China, Russia Seen As Key Threats
The US Space Force has identified China and Russia as the main potential threats to American interests in space. It says China is developing and operating space and counterspace systems as part of its military modernisation, while Russia views space as a “warfighting domain” and considers space superiority important in future conflicts.
The militarisation of space dates back to the Cold War. After the Soviet Union launched Sputnik in 1957, the US and Russia began exploring ways to protect their satellites and disrupt those of their rivals.
The 1967 Outer Space Treaty bans weapons of mass destruction in orbit, but does not prohibit all conventional military capabilities in space. Since then, the US, Russia, China and India have developed or explored systems capable of targeting satellites, which are vital for military communications, surveillance and navigation.
(With inputs from agencies)
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Ask News18The US Space Force confirmed it has deployed on-orbit space-control weapons capable of both offensive and defensive purposes. While officials stated these weapons can use “kinetic and non-kinetic means” to defend against hostile adversary actions, they did not reveal specific details regarding the exact types, number, or locations of the systems.
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