US publicly confirms deployment of first weapon in space

Photo — Konrad Ciężki / Pexels

According to multiple international outlets, the US government has confirmed the deployment of an "on‑orbit" weapon system, the first time Washington has publicly acknowledged placing operational weaponry in space.[6][7][10] The US Secretary of the Air Force has defended the capability as necessary to protect American forces from hostile actions, framing it as a defensive measure in an increasingly contested domain.[10] Chinese and Russian officials have sharply criticized the announcement, warning that it could militarize what has historically been treated as a largely civilian and scientific environment and urging Washington to halt preparations for what they describe as a future space war.[6][12] The move comes amid broader tensions between major powers, rapid advances in space and military technology, and the absence of comprehensive, modern international rules governing space-based weapons beyond the decades‑old Outer Space Treaty, prompting fresh concerns among security analysts about escalation risks and the potential for miscalculation.[6][7][10]

Sources: NDTV, RTV, BBC, Egyptian Gazette