The Pentagon is considering deploying offensive weapons in space.
The US Defense Secretary affirmed that Washington needs to deploy offensive weapons in space to protect the nation's vital interests.
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X-37B space plane, one of the US military's mysterious projects. Photo:USAF. |
"We have to be ready to use offensive weapons in space in case someone decides to militarize and attack. Like every combat sport in the world, you can't just stay on the defensive and win,"RTOctober 31 quoted US Secretary of Defense James Mattis' statement.
Mattis said that space is an area of vital importance to the economy as well as the lives of the American people. In addition to the role of military surveillance and intelligence, US space satellites are currently used for navigation, communication and commerce.
The deployment of offensive weapons is part of a two-pronged space strategy being studied by the Pentagon, which includes strengthening the defense capabilities of US assets in space, according to US officials.
"President Donald Trump's recent directive to establish a Space Force is not just about establishing a cumbersome personnel apparatus but about creating a real combat capability to fight in space," the US Secretary of Defense emphasized.
Trump in mid-June asked the Pentagon to immediately begin the process of establishing the Space Force, the sixth branch of the US armed forces.
Trump has proposed pushing for manned missions to Mars and a “long-term presence” on the Moon, but has not said whether the US military would be involved in these projects. However, the US president has referred to “dominance” in space as a matter of national security.
