Washington (AFP)

Donald Trump wants to be ready in case of star wars: the US president on Thursday launched a military command of space, which will be responsible for ensuring the dominance of the United States, threatened by China and Russia, on this new war ground.

"This is a historic moment, a historic day, that recognizes that space is at the center of America's national security and defense," the president said at a ceremony in Washington.

This command, dubbed "Spacecom", "will ensure that US space domination is never questioned or threatened because we know that the best way to prevent conflict is to prepare for victory." ", he added.

For Mr. Trump, it is about fighting the enemies of the United States who are attacking the "American satellites that are so important for operations on the battlefields and for our lifestyle".

The "Spacecom" becomes the 11th military command of the Pentagon, equivalent for example to Centcom, in charge of the American military operations in the Middle East.

After the Spacecom, Mr. Trump confirmed the next creation of a "Space Force" that will become a sixth branch of the US Army, alongside the Army, the US Navy, the US Air Force, the Marine Corps and the Coast Guard.

The "Force" will be formed within the Air Force, which has been overseeing military operations in space since the 1950s.

The mission of Spacecom is multiple: deter, defend, offer an effective space combat capability and train fighters for war in space, according to the Pentagon.

- "Stay in the lead" -

The aim is to secure the supremacy of the United States on this new battlefield, threatened by China and Russia, which have developed their technological capabilities.

"We are the best of the world in space today, but our level of superiority is narrowing, we want to move fast and stay ahead," said General John Raymond, who will lead Spacecom, at a press conference. -press before the official announcement.

The threats range from scrambling communications and GPS satellites to striking a surface-to-air missile against a satellite "as China did in 2007," said the Air Force general.

Spacecom will work with Washington's traditional allies: the "Five Eyes" group of US, New Zealand, British, Canadian and Australian intelligence services, as well as with Germany, Japan and France. has already announced the forthcoming creation of a command dedicated to space.

"Historically, we did not need allies in outer space, which was a secondary domain, and it became very important today," he said.

"Space will not be our Achilles heel," added Steve Kitay, Deputy Minister of Defense for Space Affairs.

Asked about possible research on alien life, Mr. Kitay said that "Spacecom and the Force of space focus on life on Earth."

In March 2018, Mr Trump had decided on the idea of ​​this Space Force, but the House of Representatives had voted a year ago to provide for the creation of a "Space Corps".

The then Minister of Defense, Jim Mattis, publicly opposed it, considering a sixth military branch too expensive and unnecessary. US Air Force Chief Heather Wilson also voiced opposition to the idea.

In addition, the future Space Force may face opposition from Congress to approve its funding, estimated at $ 8 billion by the White House.

© 2019 AFP