US urged to gear up for lunar‑orbit combat, says former Trump defence chief

Top former Trump defence adviser warned that America must ready its forces for fighting around the moon. The comment follows official US statements confirming the deployment of weapons designed for space control. The Pentagon said the new systems can target hostile satellites and protect friendly assets in orbit. China responded with a formal warning, saying US moves raise the risk of a dangerous arms race in space. Analysts note that recent Chinese satellite manoeuvres have resembled dogfights, intensifying concerns over a new space rivalry. The adviser, speaking at a security forum, argued that neglecting lunar‑orbit defence could leave the US vulnerable as rival powers expand their extraterrestrial capabilities. He cited the growing number of anti‑satellite tests by China and Russia as evidence that space is becoming a contested battlefield. US officials stressed that the weapons are meant to deter aggression, not to provoke conflict, but critics argue the deployment may lower the threshold for kinetic actions beyond Earth. The adviser called for increased funding, joint training with allies, and development of lunar‑based sensors to monitor potential threats.