Conflict & Security
US military says it must prepare for combat in space and around the moon
September 17, 2026 at 06:56 AM
Coverage
2 reports · 1 in Arabic, 1 in English · over 8 hours
Top US military officials have said American forces must be ready to fight in Earth's orbit and around the moon, days after the military deployed space weapons for the first time.
- Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen Dan Caine told the Air, Space and Cyber Conference that forces must be prepared to "fight, endure and win from the seabed to cislunar space."
- Air Force Secretary Troy Meink revealed the US has fielded "on-orbit space control weapons," its first announced deployment of weapons in space.
- Lt Gen Gregory Gagnon said potential adversaries such as China are extending warfare into space, and that the Space Force aims to double to about 25,000 members within five years.
- Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said China opposes the weaponization of outer space and urged Washington to stop expanding its military preparations there.