The United States has weapons deployed in space, the US Space Force has confirmed, publicly acknowledging for the first time that American military capabilities designed to operate against threats in orbit are already in place.

The Space Force did not reveal what weapons are deployed or how many are in orbit. In a statement, however, it said the US has “on-orbit space control weapons” that can be used to protect American and allied military forces from hostile action.

The disclosure puts fresh attention on the growing military competition in space, particularly involving the US, China and Russia.

What weapons does the US have in space?

The US Space Force has not provided details about the specific weapons involved.

It said the capabilities fall under what it calls space control, a broad military mission that involves challenging and controlling activity in the space domain.

According to the Space Force, these capabilities can use both kinetic and non-kinetic methods and can serve offensive as well as defensive purposes.

That means the US confirmation does not establish that nuclear weapons or conventional explosives are sitting on satellites in orbit. The statement only confirms that the US has weapons intended for space-control operations deployed in orbit.

Why are US space weapons a concern?

Satellites have become vital to modern military operations. They support communications, surveillance and navigation, making space an increasingly important part of national security.

The US Space Force identifies both China and Russia as major potential threats to American interests in space.

It says China is developing and operating space and counterspace capabilities as part of its military modernisation programme. Russia, meanwhile, considers space a potential battlefield and views control of the domain as an important factor in future conflicts.

The latest US disclosure therefore comes amid a broader race to develop capabilities that can protect a country's satellites while potentially disrupting those belonging to an adversary.

The US, Russia and China have been preparing for space warfare for decades

Military competition in space is not new.

The space race between the United States and Moscow began in the 1950s, and the launch of the satellite Sputnik in 1957 was followed by efforts from both sides to explore the military potential of space.

One of the biggest early concerns was the possibility of nuclear weapons being placed in orbit.

The 1967 Outer Space Treaty prohibited countries from placing weapons of mass destruction in orbit around Earth. However, it did not end military competition in space.

Since then, the US, Russia, China and India have explored technologies that could be used to challenge or disable satellites and other space-based systems.

With AFP inputs