Pentagon confirms China, Russia are preparing to deploy a nuclear weapon in space

Pentagon official confirms US concerns over Russia’s potential deployment of a nuclear weapon in space, citing broader militarization of space by Russia and China

For the first time in a public setting, a high-ranking Pentagon official has confirmed the United States’ belief that Russia is preparing to deploy a nuclear weapon in space.

Assistant Defense Secretary for Space Policy John Plumb made this revelation during testimony to the Republican-led House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday, also asserting that both China and Russia have “militarized” space.

According to Plumb, Russia is actively developing an anti-satellite capability linked to a new satellite carrying a nuclear device. He expressed U.S. concerns about being unable to dissuade Russia from potentially deploying such a weapon in space, emphasizing the indiscriminate threat it would pose to satellites critical for global communications, scientific research, weather forecasting, agriculture, commerce, and national security.

Plumb highlighted the potential consequences of such a weapon, stating it could render low Earth orbit unusable, potentially for an extended period. He described the threat as imminent, requiring immediate attention.

Russia vetoed a resolution preventing arms race in space

These statements come in the wake of Russia’s recent veto of a U.S.-drafted resolution at the United Nations aimed at preventing an arms race in space.

The U.S. has questioned Moscow’s motives, with Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield expressing concern over Russia’s lack of support for a resolution reaffirming space-related regulations.

In response, Russia’s U.N. ambassador accused the U.S. of attempting to discredit Moscow and announced Russia’s plan to propose its own resolution promoting the peaceful use of space.

Outer Space Treaty doesn’t prohibit weapons

The White House has expressed skepticism about Russia’s intentions, with National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan suggesting that Moscow’s veto indicates otherwise. Plumb contextualized the current situation by referencing the 1960s, when both the U.S. and the Soviet Union conducted high-altitude nuclear tests, causing damage to satellites and disrupting their orbits.

Plumb clarified that while the Outer Space Treaty of 1967 does not explicitly prohibit weapons in space, it does address weapons of mass destruction.

He noted Russia’s deployment and development of prototype kinetic weapons in space and China’s development of robotic satellites with potential military applications.

Source: Newsroom

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