US Space Force confirms nation has weapons deployed in orbit

The United States Space Force confirmed on Monday that the US has deployed space control weapons into orbit capable of defending the Joint Force against hostile adversary action. A spokesperson said these capabilities use both kinetic and non-kinetic means to affect adversary systems, and can be employed for offensive as well as defensive purposes.

Space as a strategic arena

Space has increasingly become viewed as a critical component of national security, given how much of the global economy depends on infrastructure such as satellites. Once primarily a venue for Cold War prestige, space has evolved into a key strategic domain where states compete for military and technological advantage.

The US established the Space Force in 2019 to address what the military describes as a growing threat from strategic competitors, with Washington particularly focused on potential threats from China and Russia.

Concerns over China and Russia

According to the Space Force, Beijing and Moscow are developing new systems intended to boost military effectiveness and end reliance on US space services, while also testing and fielding sophisticated counterspace capabilities. The Chinese military reportedly views space as central to future conflicts, enabling long-range precision strikes and denying other militaries the use of space-based information, as part of a broader push to modernise its armed forces.

Russia, meanwhile, operates one of the world's largest space programs. Despite being constrained by funding problems and international isolation, it remains, in the Space Force's assessment, a capable space actor. Russia reportedly regards space as a warfighting domain and believes achieving supremacy there will be a decisive factor in future conflicts.