US confirms it deployed weapons in space as China warns of arms race
The US confirmed it has stationed weapons in orbit, a move China warns could spark a military arms race in space.
The United States has confirmed it deployed arms in orbit around Earth, fulfilling what military analysts described as an open secret. China's government responded by warning the move could turn space into a battlefield and trigger a weapons race.
The US did not say what weapons it stationed or how many. They could include non-kinetic systems like lasers to blind satellites or electromagnetic jamming of data links.
Space militarisation dates back to the Cold War: both the USSR and US explored arming satellites since Sputnik in 1957. India said in March 2019 it destroyed a low-orbiting satellite, following in the footsteps of Russia and China.
A Chinese military commentator told AFP that Beijing would match any US weapons deployment in space, noting China already operates its own space station. The announcement marks an acceleration in major powers competing for military control of orbit, a domain lacking comprehensive legal rules.
- 1957
- Sputnik launched
- March 2019
- India satellite test
- Russia and China
- US rival powers
- Operates own
- China space station
Why it mattersSpace-based weapons could change how wars are fought and disrupt satellites that billions of people depend on for GPS, communications and banking.
AustraliaAustralian military and telecommunications infrastructure relies on satellites; any space conflict could affect Australia's communications and defence systems.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 9 d ago
