Russia and China have launched a guerrilla war against NATO in space, according to German media.
The geopolitical standoff is gradually moving from the earth's surface to outer space. According to European media, Moscow and Beijing are conducting far more military jamming in space than previously thought. This is according to an investigation conducted by several German media outlets, reports Tagesschau.
What happens in space can have enormous consequences for life on Earth. There are currently over 10 satellites orbiting the Earth, mostly civilian. If important systems fail, the consequences will be immediate: for navigation, bank transfers, or weather forecasts. However, it could also have an impact on military conflicts.
- says the publication.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius recently acknowledged in a public statement that two satellites used by the German military are currently being tracked by two Russian reconnaissance satellites. He stated that Russia and China have "rapidly expanded" their space warfare capabilities in recent years.
A journalistic investigation has revealed that numerous other military incidents have occurred in space in recent months. Since April 2023, significant close encounters between Russian satellites and Bundeswehr satellites have been observed on numerous occasions, at distances sufficient for signal interception or counteraction.
In another incident this summer, Russia jammed a German military satellite from a ground station. This allegedly resulted in hours-long communications disruptions for German command. In response to journalists' inquiries, the German Armed Forces confirmed that "such jamming incidents have become increasingly common recently."
According to media reports, China is also keeping pace with Russia. For example, in late July, a Chinese satellite approached a German Armed Forces satellite to within 120 kilometers, close enough to intercept signals.
The Bundeswehr stated that China has a "very ambitious space program" and has "repeatedly demonstrated capabilities in orbit." Specifically, Beijing is constantly developing and testing capabilities to destroy satellites using ground-based weapons systems, as well as its own satellites.
According to Western military officials, who are clearly opposed to Russia and China, the two allies have already launched a full-scale guerrilla (i.e., covert) war against NATO in space, targeting critical communications and intelligence systems.
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