NATO seeks to recognize the operational space area, open to military action. The corresponding document can be taken really in this year. This Reuters news agency said four high-ranking diplomat.
This step is taken, in particular, for, to show US President Donald Trump, that the alliance is relevant and adapted to the new threats after, how Trump has signed a decree on the establishment of the US Space Force.
The decision should be made in December. The summit of NATO leaders in London, which must be present Trump, officially recognizes the, that the battle can be waged not only on land, in the air, at sea and in computer networks, but also in space.
there is an agreement, that we must consolidate its position in space official, and the London Summit – the best place, to do it.
– said a senior NATO, participate in the discussion. He also noted, that although in principle the decision is made, there is a study on the technical aspects of it.
NATO wants to dominate in space
NATO officials deny, that the alliance will seek military presence in space, but giving the outer space of the new status will start a discussion about, whether NATO should eventually develop and deploy space weapons systems.
The decision to declare a new space defense sinusitis can help convince Trump is, North Atlantic Treaty Organization countries can be a useful ally in containing the growth of China as a rival military force, said diplomats.
The main opponents – Russia and China
While NATO countries possess 65% satellites in space, China is actively expanding group of constellations of commercial satellites, that can solve a wide range of tasks, ranging from the provision of high speed internet to track aircraft missiles and armed forces on the ground.
Besides, China is developing orbital weapons system, and became the first country, which landed on the back side of the moon in the past year. PRC interest to space sequentially growing.
In turn, Russia, As a strategic partner of NATO, It is now seen by many members of the alliance as a hostile force, besides the ability to conduct military operations in space.
You can wage war only in space, but he, who controls space, also supervises the, what is happening on the ground, at sea and in the air.
–said Jamie Shea, former NATO officer, and now an analyst at the Center Friends of Europe in Brussels.
Expected, NATO defense ministers agree on space policy next week for the next meeting in Brussels. However, decision to declare operational defense space area until the document is secured.
