The United States is preparing to become the first country in the world to deploy on-orbit weaponry in Earth's orbit, US Air Force Secretary Troy Meink confirmed on Monday.

Speaking at a press conference held at the National Harbor Resort in Maryland, Secretary Meink stated that Washington is taking this step to counter "growing threats" and maintain "US control and dominance in space." However, he declined to specify the precise nature or technological specifications of the weapons being deployed.

The announcement comes as the Trump administration accelerates efforts to develop space-based capabilities for its proposed "Golden Dome" missile defense shield, intended to safeguard the United States from ballistic missiles and aerial threats.

In a separate statement, a spokesperson for the US Space Force confirmed that the military branch possesses space control capabilities designed to defend the nation and its armed forces against hostile adversary actions.

"Space control refers to activities required to ensure freedom of action in space, encompassing both kinetic and non-kinetic means to affect adversary capabilities," the Space Force spokesperson explained. "These capabilities can be employed for both offensive and defensive purposes." Like the Air Force Secretary, the spokesperson refrained from disclosing specific details regarding the orbital hardware.

Defense experts and analysts view the move as a direct response to strategic space competition from Moscow and Beijing, identifying Russia and China as the primary subjects of the "growing threats" referenced by Secretary Meink.

According to US defense officials, China is aggressively expanding space and counter-space technologies as part of its broader military modernization agenda, while Russia increasingly views space as a warfighting domain where orbital dominance could prove decisive in future conflict scenarios.

Sources: AFP, NDTV