Archive · 16 Sep 2026
US Confirms Deployed Space Weapons, Raising Arms Race Fears
The United States says it has weapons operating in space around Earth.
A senior military official confirmed this publicly for the first time.
He did not explain exactly what the weapons are.
The Space Force said they might use physical force or other methods to affect an opponent’s space equipment.
The systems could be used to attack or defend.
China said the announcement suggested that the United States was preparing for war in space.
Russia said space should be free of weapons.
Experts worry that the announcement could make the United States, Russia and China compete more intensely in orbit.
One expert said the systems might be signal jammers, but this has not been confirmed.
US Air Force Secretary Troy Meink confirmed that the United States has active “on-orbit” space-control weapons.
Meink declined to disclose the weapons’ specific details, while the Space Force described kinetic and non-kinetic options.
The capabilities may be used for offensive or defensive purposes, according to a Space Force spokesperson.
China accused Washington of preparing for war in outer space, while Russia called for space’s complete demilitarization.
Experts warned that publicly confirming the weapons could accelerate a risky arms race involving the United States, Russia and China.
- Who
- The United States, with responses from China and Russia; US Air Force Secretary Troy Meink made the announcement.
- What
- The United States confirmed that it has deployed active space-control weapons in orbit.
- When
- The confirmation was made on Monday at the annual Air, Space, Cyber conference.
- Where
- The weapons are in orbit around Earth; the announcement was made in Washington.
- Why
- The United States said it must remain ready to address evolving threats, while critics and experts warned of a possible space arms race.
Space Demilitarization
US Space Control
Weapons in orbit
Space Demilitarization
China said the United States was preparing for war in outer space, while Russia said space must be free of weapons and called for complete demilitarization.
US Space Control
The United States confirmed that it has deployed space-control weapons and said they can serve offensive and defensive purposes.
Security impact
Space Demilitarization
China, Russia and space experts warned that weapons in orbit could turn space into a battlefield or accelerate a risky arms race.
US Space Control
The United States said it needs to remain ready to meet evolving threats wherever they exist.
Nature of the systems
Space Demilitarization
Critics are concerned that the weapons could affect satellites and increase tensions, including through possible jamming or kinetic attacks.
US Space Control
The United States has not disclosed the specific systems; the Space Force said space control can involve kinetic or non-kinetic methods.
- Confirmed capability
- The United States has active “on-orbit” space-control weapons.
- US official
- Troy Meink, secretary of the US Air Force, confirmed the deployment.
- Weapon details
- Meink declined to disclose the specific systems.
- Possible methods
- The Space Force cited kinetic and non-kinetic means that could affect adversary capabilities.
- Potential uses
- The capabilities can be used for offensive and defensive purposes.
- China’s response
- China accused Washington of preparing for war in outer space and warned against an arms race there.
- Russia’s response
- Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said space should be free of weapons and called for complete demilitarization.
- Expert assessment
- Astronomer Jonathan McDowell said jammers were a reasonable possibility, but the specific systems have not been confirmed.
