US Intelligence: China May Deploy Directed-Energy Weapons in Orbit by End of Decade
A Defense Intelligence Agency report stated that China could deploy directed-energy weapons in space by the end of the decade, as Russia's anti-satellite arsenal expands.
A new assessment by the US Defense Intelligence Agency released on October 26 stated that China could deploy directed-energy weapons in space by the end of the current decade, signaling an accelerating military competition in orbit.
The report noted that China already possesses multiple ground-based laser systems capable of disrupting or damaging satellites in low Earth orbit, posing a direct threat to commercial and military satellites.
The assessment also addressed the expansion of Russia's anti-satellite arsenal, including the co-orbital "Burevestnik" weapon, amid US concerns over a new arms race in space.
In the same context, the Global Times quoted a Chinese position paper on outer space governance released on October 23 warning against turning space into a theater of conflict.
What do these terms mean?
Directed-energy weapons: Weapons that use focused lasers or electromagnetic waves to disable or damage a target instead of a projectile.
Low Earth orbit: A range of orbits close to Earth, in which most communications, imaging, and sensing satellites operate.
Co-orbital weapon: A weapon placed in an orbit close to a target satellite that moves alongside it, making it difficult to detect or avoid.
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