WASHINGTON: The United States has confirmed that it has deployed a space weapon in Earth orbit. This is the first time Washington has officially acknowledged the existence of such an offensive space capability.
US Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said the weapon in orbit is necessary to protect US forces from potential enemy attacks. Speaking at the Air, Space and Cyber Conference on Monday, Meink said the US is “prepared for evolving threats.
” However, he did not provide further details about the capabilities of the new weapon deployed in Earth orbit, or when it was launched. Senior US military officials have previously said they want to increase their military capabilities in space.
Their position has been that Russia and China are trying to develop the ability to target and disrupt US satellites in any potential future conflict.
The Trump administration says that space-based defence systems and interceptor missiles are a key part of its proposed ‘Golden Dome’ defence project, the aim of which is to protect the US from missile attacks and aerial threats.
Under a 1967 international treaty, the deployment of weapons of mass destruction in orbit is banned. Since then, major powers including the US, Russia and China have continued to work on other systems that fall outside the scope of that treaty, such as the ability to target rival countries’ satellites.
Satellites are critical for military communications, surveillance, and navigation.
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