Washington, September 15: The United States has confirmed for the first time that it has deployed a weapon in Earth’s orbit, acknowledging offensive military capabilities in space amid growing concerns over threats to satellites from rival powers.
US Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink said the “on-orbit” weapon was necessary to protect American forces against hostile actions.
Speaking at the Air, Space and Cyber Conference on Monday, Meink said the US was prepared to respond to evolving threats but did not disclose the weapon’s capabilities or when it was deployed.
The announcement comes as Washington seeks to strengthen its military presence in space, citing the development of capabilities by Russia and China to target or disrupt American satellites during a potential conflict.
China on Tuesday warned against an arms race in outer space, urging Washington to halt the expansion of its military capabilities and preparations for war in the domain.
“We urge the US side to stop expanding its military capabilities and preparing for war in outer space,” an unnamed Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson was quoted as saying by AFP.
US officials have not provided details about how the weapon operates.
A US Space Force spokesperson said space control involves the use of both kinetic and non-kinetic capabilities to disrupt, degrade or, if necessary, destroy an adversary’s space assets.
The spokesperson said such capabilities could be used for offensive or defensive purposes, depending on the direction of combatant commands.
Weapon’s capabilities remain unclear
Experts said little is publicly known about the technology involved, with possible systems ranging from electronic warfare platforms to weapons capable of physically destroying satellites.
Dr Bleddyn Bowen of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, said the US could be referring to an electronic warfare or radio-jamming platform capable of disrupting communications.
Another possibility, he said, could be a kinetic weapon designed to collide with and destroy a satellite.
However, Bowen said a physically destructive system was less likely because it could generate significant amounts of debris in orbit.
Space increasingly viewed as a military domain
The announcement comes as the administration of US President Donald Trump seeks to develop its proposed “Golden Dome” missile defence system, which is expected to incorporate space-based capabilities and interceptor missiles.
Trump had also issued an executive order last year highlighting the US Space Force’s role in both defending American assets and carrying out offensive operations.
Established in 2019, the US Space Force is responsible for protecting American interests in space, including satellites used for communications, surveillance and navigation.
The deployment also comes amid increasing concerns over the militarisation of space, with the US, Russia and China developing capabilities that could target or interfere with each other’s satellites.
A 1967 international treaty prohibits the placement of weapons of mass destruction in orbit, but does not impose a blanket ban on conventional weapons in space.
The US has previously accused Russia of launching satellites that could threaten other spacecraft, while the US Space Force has described both Russia and China as developing counterspace capabilities as part of their military strategies.
The latest confirmation is likely to intensify debate over the future of military competition in orbit, where satellites have become increasingly important for national security and modern warfare.
