Air Force Secretary Troy Meink confirmed that the Space Force has weapons positioned in orbit, noting that the initiative is related to the fact that China and Russia are also present in space.
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15/09/2026
by
Miguel Patinha Dias, Lusa
A Space Force, the U.S. Army branch dedicated to space, first confirmed this monday, day 14, which has weapons positioned in orbit “capable of defending inter-arm force against hostile actions of opponents”.
The United States also adds that “space control” cover all missions related to the fight for the domain of the space environment, through means “kinetic and non-kinetic” which can affect opposing capabilities. Capabilities that “can be used for both offensive and defensive purposes”.
The US Space Force argues that this initiative is due to the fact that its two main geopolitical rivals – China and Russia – also have this presence. China, underlines the Space Force, “develops and implements spatial and counterspace capabilities within a military modernization strategy”, while Russia “considers space as a combat domain and believes that spatial supremacy will be a decisive factor in future conflicts”.
The information was released by Air Force Secretary Troy Meink, who did not specify the type of weapon that is positioned in orbit but according to information provided by an American government official to The Washington Postthese orbiting systems have the ability to destroy or neutralize enemy satellites.
Moreover, the person responsible for sharing this information added that these systems are only used if these enemy satellites are used to target American troops or satellites.
In addition, it is believed that these armed systems positioned in orbit can also serve as a deterrent, preventing enemy forces from taking the initiative to attack the U.S. knowing that they may suffer a reaction.
We must remember that the US is developing the golden Dome missile defense system, which will also rely on a network of interceptors in space. However, it is not known whether this project integrates this space armament program.
In may this year it was revealed by the U.S. Congress Budget Office that the Golden Dome could cost approximately $1.2 billion over 20 years.