US Spacecom emphasises partnerships amid escalating threats
Spotlight on China and Russia
In a compelling address at the Air & Space Power Association’s Defence Space Conference in London, US Space Command (Spacecom) Commander Gen. Stephen N. Whiting underscored the critical importance of international partnerships in safeguarding space capabilities amid rising global threats, particularly from China and Russia.
Whiting highlighted the alarming speed at which China is developing its space capabilities, warning that its advancements pose significant risks to US and allied systems.
“The People’s Republic of China is fielding capabilities at breathtaking speed, holding space systems in all orbital regimes at risk,” he stated. He emphasised that China and Russia deploy counter-space capabilities, including non-kinetic systems like satellite communication jammers, cyberattacks, and direct ascent anti-satellite weapons.
The general noted that previously viewed as theoretical threats have become stark realities, particularly as strategic competitors increasingly leverage space for military advantage. He pointed to Russia’s ongoing aggression in Ukraine as a clear demonstration of how modern warfare relies on space-based systems for tracking and targeting.
Expressing concern
Whiting expressed concern over China’s extensive space-enabled network aimed at restricting access to the Indo-Pacific region, and he warned of the dangers posed by Russia’s reported plans to deploy nuclear weapons in space, a potential violation of the Outer Space Treaty of 1967.
“Such a capability would have indiscriminate effects and pose a threat to all satellites operated by countries and companies around the globe,” he remarked, reaffirming the US commitment to working with allied nations to counter such provocations.
Whiting called for a strategic and collaborative approach to address these growing challenges effectively, stating, “Space is a team sport.” He asserted that any nation or organisation cannot achieve success in space but rather through the integration of joint, interagency, allied, and commercial efforts.
He elaborated on three guiding moral responsibilities of Spacecom: ensuring robust space capabilities, defending space constellations, and protecting against space-enabled attacks. Central to Spacecom’s mission is the trust it fosters with allies and partners, which he believes is essential for countering the activities of adversaries like China and Russia.
“In the chaos of conflict, our relationships forged over decades in both wartime and peace stand strong,” Whiting concluded, emphasising the unique strength of the US alliance network in facing contemporary threats in space.
Featured image: US Space Force Col. Phillip Verroco, Deputy Director of the Combined Space Operations Centre, explains the layout of the CSpOC operations floor to members of a delegation of French officers at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, on April 15, 2022. Credit: US Space Force Tech. Sgt Luke Kitterman
