According to The New York Times, the US Department of Defense is in a hurry to expand its capabilities to wage war in space. Washington is convinced that China and Russia’s lightning-fast progress in space operations poses a serious threat to U.S. satellites in orbit. As journalists have learned, the details of the Pentagon’s plans remain highly classified, but representatives of the department are increasingly confirming that the initiative reflects a major shift in military operations, where space is viewed as a battlefield.
The U.S. government will no longer rely solely on military satellites to communicate, navigate, track, and target ground threats – tools that have given the Pentagon a significant advantage in conflicts for decades.
In addition, it is stated that the Pentagon plans to acquire a new generation of ground- and space-based capabilities that will enable it to protect its satellite network from attacks and, if necessary, disrupt or disable enemy spacecraft in orbit, Pentagon officials have said in a number of interviews, speeches and recent statements.
The US has radically changed its approach
The New York Times points out that the new strategy differs significantly from previous military programs in space by expanding the range of offensive capabilities. “Pentagon officials and a recent unclassified assessment by the Director of National Intelligence suggest that both Russia and China have already tested or deployed systems such as ground-based high-energy lasers, anti-satellite missiles, or maneuverable satellites that could be used to disable U.S. space assets,” the newspaper writes.
Share
According to journalists, the concern has only increased after rumors spread that the aggressor country, Russia, is allegedly developing space-based nuclear weapons that could destroy all satellites in orbit, both commercial and military.
