US confirms deployment of weapons in space

The United States has officially announced the deployment of weapons in space for the first time, according to US media reports on Tuesday. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink revealed this during a conference in Maryland on Monday. Meink stated that these weapons are essential to safeguard US forces and in response to evolving threats.

Meink emphasized that the United States now possesses on-orbit space control weapons designed to protect the Joint Force against hostile adversary actions. While he did not disclose specific details about the weapons or their deployment timeline, it is believed that the US military may have the capability to destroy enemy satellites if they target US troops or satellites.

This announcement highlights the United States Space Force (USSF), which was established in 2019 under President Donald Trump. Meink, who serves as the chief civilian officer of the USSF, noted that China and Russia, both of which are expanding their military capabilities in space, are considered threats. The USSF website identifies these nations as potential adversaries and mentions that Russia regards space as a theater of war for future conflicts.

China's Foreign Ministry responded to the US deployment by urging the country to cease its military build-up in space. The ministry's spokesman, Guo Jiakun, in Beijing, rejected the idea of space militarization. Security experts have been concerned that Earth's orbit could become a battlefield due to the increasing reliance of modern armed forces on satellites for purposes such as navigation, communication, and reconnaissance.