Pentagon considers deploying offensive weapons in space
The US Secretary of Defense affirmed that Washington needs to deploy offensive weapons in space to protect the country's vital interests.
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X-37B space plane, one of the mysterious projects of the US military. Photo:USAF. |
"We have to be ready to use offensive weapons in space in case someone decides to militarize and attack. Like any 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 a vital area for 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.
According to US officials, 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 space assets.
"President Donald Trump's recent directive to establish the Space Force is not just about establishing a cumbersome personnel apparatus but about creating real combat capabilities 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 proposed accelerating manned missions to Mars and establishing a “long-term US presence” on the Moon, but did not say whether the US military would be involved in these projects. However, the US president did mention “dominance” in space, calling it a matter of national security.
