Pentagon Intelligence Chief: Russia And China Will Have Weapons in Space ‘In the Near Future’
In what has been called the most “overt” acknowledgement by U.S. intelligence regarding Russian and Chinese weaponization of space, the director of the Defense Intelligence Agency stated that U.S. superiority in the domain is decreasing as China and Russia develop powerful satellite and anti-satellite technology. Both countries have developed ground and space technologies with “the ability to interdict” U.S. satellites. This includes technologies ostensibly under development for peaceful applications, including satellite inspection, refueling, and repair. The DIA director did not state whether or not a separate Space Force would be an effective method for addressing the problem, but affirmed efforts to continue technological advancements in the domain.