Retired lieutenant general: US responding to ‘arms race in space’ that’s already underway

Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. David Deptula on Tuesday said the revelation that the U.S. has deployed weapons into space is in response to a space “arms race” that has “already been underway,” referring to similar efforts by Russia and China.

Deptula told NewsNation’s Katie Pavlich on “Katie Pavlich Tonight” that Russia and China first made space “into a warfighting domain,” while the U.S. developed innovations for the benefit of people on Earth. He said those countries have attempted to thwart the U.S. to “give them an enormous advantage.”

“So the Chinese and the Russians have developed jammers and directed-energy weapons and cyber capabilities and ground-based anti-satellite missiles and satellites capable of maneuvering close to other satellites,” he continued. “And they’ve been practicing the ability to disrupt, disable, and destroy the space capabilities on which our military depends.”

“So let’s be real clear about what’s happening today,” Deptula added. “The United States isn’t starting an arms race in space. We’re responding to one that’s already been underway.”

Pavlich asked her other guest, author and former Navy SEAL Jack Carr, if the U.S. is ready to defend its space military capabilities. Carr said that if America’s enemies are developing their own technology to counter U.S. efforts, the U.S. must be prepared.

“Otherwise, there’s no chance for you going forward,” Carr said. “And we have to remember, we’re talking about this as today, but back in January of 2025, that’s when President Trump first announced what people are calling the Golden Dome, the military developing that missile defense shield. There’s scant details about it, but what we do know about it is that it is those low-orbital satellites.”

Air Force Secretary Troy Meink revealed Monday at the annual Air, Space and Cyber Conference at National Harbor, Md., that the U.S. has deployed weapons into space, but he did not give details as to the type of weapon that is now in space or when it was launched.

“Today we continue to ensure we remain ready to meet the challenges of evolving threats wherever they exist,” Meink said. “This is why the United States now has on-orbit space control weapons capable of defending the joint force against hostile adversary action.”

This first admission by a U.S. official followed warnings about China and Russia developing their own weapons to threaten American satellites and forces. The Chinese Foreign Ministry clapped back, telling the U.S. to “stop preparing for war” in space, while Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said space should be “free of any weapon.”

The Golden Dome missile defense system remains under development. It will be equipped with interceptor layers and a space-based missile warning and tracking system and was projected by the Congressional Budget Office to be developed, deployed and operated over the next 20 years, at the cost of $1.2 trillion.