Concerns have been growing about Russia and China’s potential to deploy nuclear weapons in space, a move that could have devastating consequences for the United States and the West.
Lieutenant General Jeff Kruse, director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, highlighted the increasing intent of these nations to develop counter-space capabilities.
Speaking at the Aspen Security Forum on Wednesday, he said: “I would highlight … the increasing amount in intent to use counterspace capabilities.
“Both Russia and China view the use of space early on, even ahead of conflict, as important capabilities to deter or to compel behaviors.”
Despite these concerns, both Russia and China have dismissed suggestions of deploying nuclear capabilities in space.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov called the claims “fake news” in May, while Chinese spokesperson Liu Pengyu told VOA News that China opposes weaponizing space.
“China always advocates the peaceful use of outer space, opposes weaponising space or an arms race in space and works actively toward the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind in space”, he said.
“The US has been weaving a narrative about the so-called threat posed by China in outer space in an attempt to justify its own military buildup to seek space hegemony. It is just another illustration of how the US clings to the Cold War mentality and deflects responsibility.”
General Stephen Whiting, speaking alongside Kruse at the Aspen Security Forum, reinforced the US’s concerns about China.
“China is building a kill web, if you will, in space”, he said.
“In the last six years, they’ve tripled the number of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance satellites they have on orbit — hundreds and hundreds of satellites designed to find, fix, track, target and, yes, potentially engage US and allied forces across the Indo-Pacific.”
These developments have intensified fears of a potential space-based arms race, further straining the already tense relations between the US, Russia, and China.
