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Air Force Secretary Troy Meink revealed for the first time Monday that the US Space Force has deployed weapons in space.

The Remarks: Meink, during the Air, Space, and Cyber Conference in Maryland said, "Today, we continue to ensure we remain ready to meet the challenges of evolving threats wherever they exist." This is why, according to Meink, "the United States now has on-orbit space control weapons capable of defending the Joint Force against hostile adversary action." Meink added that "We will dramatically increase our combat power by adding large numbers of highly autonomous systems," and that "because of the steps we're taking today, we'll have a radically different-looking Air Force by 2032."

"Mysterious" and "Secret": The New York Post (Right bias) called the development a "move against China and Russia," and said "Beijing bristled" at the revelation. The article also highlighted both the "mysterious" and "secret capabilities" of the weapons.

"High-Risk Arms Race": The Guardian (Left) said that "It has been an open secret that the US, Russia and China are working on space weapons," adding however, that "space experts warn a public confirmation of such capabilities in orbit for the first time could accelerate a risky arms race." The outlet cited astronomer Jonathan McDowell saying that Russia and China, following the announcement, "would now 'respond in kind' and deploy their own weapons."

"Warfighting Domain": Washington Examiner (Lean Right) mentioned that "the development comes as War Secretary Pete Hegseth is carrying out an intensive effort to modernize the military as it pivots to 21^st-century warfare, embarking on what he has described as the 'comprehensive transformation' of the Pentagon." The article also highlighted a portion of Meink's remarks saying, "The U.S. has warned about Russian and Chinese weapons testing and operationalization since 2007," and "due to their actions, it is no longer a question that space is a warfighting domain."

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