US confirms deployment of offensive-capable weapons in space

The United States has publicly acknowledged that it has deployed offensive-capable weapons in Earth’s orbit, marking a significant development in the growing military competition in space.

The US Space Force confirmed that America has “on-orbit space control weapons” capable of protecting US forces against hostile actions.

US Air Force Secretary Troy Meink also discussed the capabilities during the annual Air, Space and Cyber Conference in National Harbor, Maryland.

However, officials did not disclose specific details about the weapons or how they operate.

The Space Force said its space-control capabilities could be used for both offensive and defensive purposes and involve kinetic and non-kinetic means of affecting an adversary’s capabilities.

The development comes amid growing US concerns about the military space capabilities of China and Russia.

Washington has accused both countries of developing technologies capable of threatening satellites and other critical infrastructure in orbit.

Satellites play an increasingly important role in modern life and military operations, supporting communications, navigation, weather forecasting, surveillance, banking, transportation and emergency services.

Military competition in space is not new, with major powers exploring anti-satellite and other space-based capabilities for decades.

However, the latest US acknowledgement provides rare public confirmation about operational American capabilities already deployed in orbit.

The 1967 Outer Space Treaty prohibits the placement of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction in orbit, but it does not prohibit every form of conventional military capability in space.