US confirms weapons are deployed in space for the first time, cites China, Russia threats

The United States has publicly acknowledged for the first time that it has weapons deployed in space, saying the systems are intended to protect American and allied forces from hostile actions.

The US Space Force said on Monday that the weapons are already in orbit but did not disclose their number, location or specific type.

“The US has on-orbit space control weapons capable of defending the Joint Force against hostile adversary action," a Space Force spokesperson said.

The force said space-control capabilities can use both “kinetic and non-kinetic means" to affect an adversary and can serve “offensive and defensive purposes".

US gives no details about systems

US Air Force Secretary Troy Meink also confirmed the deployment during a speech at the Air, Space, Cyber conference.

“Today, we continue to ensure we remain ready to meet the challenges of evolving threats wherever they exist," Meink said. “This is why the United States now has, on orbit, space-control weapons, capable of defending the joint force against hostile adversaries."

Meink did not provide further information about the weapons.

The disclosure marks a notable public acknowledgement of US military capabilities in orbit, as satellites and other space-based systems have become increasingly important to military communications, surveillance and navigation.

China and Russia cited as key threats

The US Space Force has identified China and Russia as the main potential threats to American interests in space.

According to the force, China is developing and operating space and counterspace systems as part of its military modernisation. Russia, meanwhile, views space as a “warfighting domain" and considers achieving space superiority important in future conflicts.

Both countries have developed capabilities that could threaten satellites, which play a crucial role in modern military operations.

Space militarisation dates back decades

Military competition in space is not new. The US and Soviet Union began exploring ways to protect their own satellites and disrupt those of their rivals during the Cold War, particularly after the Soviet Union launched Sputnik in 1957.

The 1967 Outer Space Treaty prohibits weapons of mass destruction from being placed in orbit but does not ban all conventional military capabilities in space.

Since then, the US, Russia, China and India have developed or explored systems capable of targeting satellites, underscoring the growing military importance of space.