The United States has publicly confirmed for the first time that it has placed weapons in orbit, a development that has drawn reactions from China and Russia and raised concerns about an accelerating arms race in space.
US Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said the US currently has active weapons in orbit, which are intended to ensure control of space and respond to potential threats. He did not provide details on the type or number of weapons.
A US Space Force spokesman explained that “space control” can include the use of kinetic and non-kinetic means to affect adversaries’ capabilities, for both defensive and offensive purposes.
The US statement has sparked immediate reactions in Beijing and Moscow. China accused Washington of preparing for war in space and warned against turning Earth’s orbit into a new battlefield and arms race zone.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also stated that Russia believes that space should be free of weapons and called for its demilitarization.
The US, Russia and China have for years been suspected of developing military capabilities for use in space, including systems for jamming satellite signals, interfering with communications and kinetic weapons against objects in orbit.
Experts warn that the US public confirmation could spark a new arms race between the three powers. Astronomer Jonathan McDowell said it was expected that the US would have such capabilities, while Russia and China could respond by developing or deploying similar systems.
Another concern relates to the consequences of using kinetic weapons against satellites. In 2021, Russia destroyed one of its satellites during an anti-satellite missile test, creating thousands of pieces of debris that remained in orbit and caused international concern.