US Space Force confirms first deployment of weapons in orbit

The U.S. Space Force announced on Tuesday that the United States has deployed weapons in orbit, marking the first official confirmation of such capabilities. The disclosure comes amid heightened attention to the militarization of space and underscores a shift toward openly acknowledging the presence of offensive and defensive systems beyond Earth’s atmosphere.

The statement arrives as China and Russia also expand their own space‑based military assets, prompting Washington to emphasize the need for control of the space domain and the protection of satellites that support military communications, surveillance and navigation. Officials indicated that the new capabilities are intended to deter potential threats and ensure the resilience of critical space infrastructure, signaling an escalating strategic competition among the three powers.