US Confirms Orbiting Weapons, Igniting New Space Arms Race Fears
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The United States has publicly confirmed for the first time that it has deployed 'on-orbit space control weapons' capable of defending its forces, marking a major shift in how openly the Pentagon discusses its military space capabilities. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink announced this groundbreaking development, stating these weapons are ready to meet 'evolving threats' from rival nations like Russia and China. This disclosure escalates concerns about a high-risk arms race in Earth's orbit, a domain increasingly seen as vital for national security. This unprecedented acknowledgment follows years of warnings from Washington about Russia and China own advancements in anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons and offensive maneuvers in space, including capabilities like signal jamming and co-orbital systems. The US has hinted that its new 'space control' capabilities could involve both kinetic means, like disabling an enemy satellite, and non-kinetic means, such as electronic warfare. This comes just after US Space Command (USSPACECOM) completed 'Apollo Maneuvers 2026', a live-fly exercise focused on dynamic on-orbit operations in a contested environment. Furthermore, prototypes for the 'Golden Dome missile defense system', which envisions space-based interceptors, are also reported as 'flight ready'. The immediate fallout has seen sharp reactions from both Russia and China, with Beijing urging the US to 'cease preparing for a war in space' and Moscow calling for the 'complete demilitarisation of space'. Analysts warn that this public confirmation could rapidly accelerate the space militarization trend, pushing other nations to openly deploy their own orbital weapons. The development also puts the spotlight back on the outdated 'Outer Space Treaty' of 1967, which bans weapons of mass destruction but offers little protection against conventional weaponry in orbit, highlighting the urgent need for new international agreements to prevent space from becoming a full-blown battlefield.