China wants to weaponise space

Beijing, Nov. 2: In an apparent shift of its stand, a top Chinese military commander has called for militarisation of space, saying it was an “historical inevitability”.

“China will develop an air force with integrated capabilities for both offensive and defensive operations in space as well as in the air,” said People’s Liberation Army Air Force Commander Xu Qiliang.

China had so far been opposing militarisation of outer space and recently along with Russia had offered to sign a pact with the US on non-weaponisation of outer space.

Commander Xu claimed “superiority in space would mean superiority over the land and oceans. As an air force we must forge our swords and shields to protect peace”.

In a wide ranging interview to state-run news agency Xinhua 10 days ahead of the 60th anniversary of the founding of PLA Air Force, he said, “A country without adequate power would have no say when faced with challenges posed by the militarisation of space.”

The Commander said that not only the major air forces in the world were eyeing outer space for weaponisation, but, some developing countries were also changing their military strategies to gain access to putting weapons in outer space.

Declaring that it was imperative for the PLA Air Force to develop capabilities in outer space, he said, “The PLA must in a time frame develop weapons of space security and space dominance. ”

Beijing has recently tried to garner support for an international treaty to control deployment of weapons in space.

In 2007, China shocked the world by shooting down one of its own weather satellite, a capability seen as a possible trigger for an arms race in space.