US Space Command chief says international conflict in space possible

 An international conflict in space is possible, and the United States therefore needs to expand its arsenals, US Space Command chief General Stephen Whiting said.

"I will always ask for more [weapons] because I believe that promotes deterrence. But also, if we are to have a conflict [with adversaries] in space -- and that is not inevitable -- it gives me a greater range of options to fulfill our American objectives," the general told Axios. He explained that this primarily concerns an arsenal of weapons designed to destroy satellites.

Whiting, who is due to leave his post and retire in the coming months, said there were "critical gaps in the nation’s arsenal" and called for additional investment and expanded capabilities to counter emerging threats. "Some of those key gaps are self-protection of our high-value assets on orbit," he said.

The general believes the US armed forces need weapons to counter adversaries’ satellite constellations in low Earth orbit. He also said that an advanced orbital detection system is needed to identify threats.