The United States has confirmed that “space control weapons” are deployed in orbit to protect its forces and space-based assets from potential hostile actions. U.S. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink made the announcement at the Air, Space & Cyber Conference in September 2026. However, the U.S. has not revealed the type, number, or exact location of these weapons. Such space-control capabilities can involve both kinetic and non-kinetic systems and may have defensive as well as offensive applications. The announcement highlights the growing militarization of space and increasing strategic competition among the U.S., China and Russia, raising concerns about a possible arms race in orbit.