US intelligence: “Space could become a battleground between the US and Russia and China”

A new US intelligence report warns that both China and Russia are investing heavily in developing weapons that can attack US satellites, and that both countries are preparing to use space as a battlefield.

Last month, the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency released a report on China's military capabilities that said the country is making strides in space technology that could threaten U.S. satellites responsible for communications, intelligence, GPS and missile launch early warning, NBC writes . . A new US intelligence report entitled Space Security Challenges warns that both China and Russia are advancing rapidly in space technology and that both countries are most likely to use space in any major military conflict.

While China has already developed rockets and lasers capable of shooting down satellites, Russia is still working on improving the technology and relying on directed energy weapons such as lasers or powerful microwaves that can disable or even destroy satellites in space. and other purposes. This mobile ground weapon system, "capable of destroying space targets," is likely to become operational within the next few years," the report says. US Defense and Intelligence officials say neither China nor Russia has yet surpassed the US in space, but that these countries have been investing huge sums in recent years to try to outdo the US military in space development.

According to a US military intelligence official, "the challenges from Russia and China must be taken seriously, otherwise America risks losing its advantages in space." Asked if the US is in a space race with Russia and China, he replied: "Of course it's a competition."