A high-ranking military official has expressed concerns about the presence of space-based weapons from China and Russia, particularly highlighting a newly launched Russian satellite weapon that has caught the attention of the Canadian Armed Forces.
Brigadier-General Michael Adamson, Commander of the 3 Canadian Space Division, stated, “That’s certainly an issue that concerns us significantly. We’re working with the American Space Force and Space Command in order to understand what that threat might be and understand what implications that might pose.”
While Brig.-Gen. Adamson stated that he did not believe the new satellite weapon posed an immediate danger to Canada, he emphasized that efforts were being made by the CAF and its allies to comprehensively grasp the nature of the threat. There is a possibility that the weapon could potentially utilize nuclear capabilities to target satellites.
In February, the United States issued a warning regarding Russia’s launch of an anti-satellite weapon with the capacity to cause physical harm on Earth. Details of the weapon were kept classified for security reasons, but the Canadian government was briefed on the matter.
Additionally, U.S. officials raised concerns that the weapon’s capabilities would violate the Outer Space Treaty, an international agreement signed by numerous countries. Russia’s veto on a United Nations resolution aimed at preventing a space-based nuclear arms race was deemed a strategic move.
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Regarding Russia’s space capabilities, Brig.-Gen. Adamson described the country as a “space power in decline” due to a decrease in satellite launches. He noted that while Russia continues to deploy significant capabilities to hinder space operations, the frequency of their launches has diminished compared to previous years.
Highlighting the situation with Chinese space weapons, Brig.-Gen. Adamson mentioned a substantial increase in satellite launches by both Russia and China in recent years. He expressed uncertainty about the intentions behind these launches, suggesting that not all of them may be for peaceful purposes.
Brig.-Gen. Adamson emphasized the efforts of Canada’s adversaries to impede operations in space for both Canada and its allies. He stressed the reliance on space-enabled capabilities for various military and civilian activities, underscoring the importance of addressing these threats.
Furthermore, Brig.-Gen. Adamson referenced a leaked U.S. intelligence report indicating China’s development of a cyber weapon designed to seize control of enemy satellites, rendering them inoperable during wartime. He assured that the CAF’s Joint Force Cyber Component is equipped to counter such threats.
“That obviously is a cause for concern, and something that we are watching very, very closely,” Brig.-Gen. Adamson concluded.
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