Analysts at the Institute for International Relations (PISM) under the government of Poland called on NATO and the EU to respond to Russian developments of anti-satellite weapons.
“The growth of the Russian potential in the field of anti-satellite systems requires a reaction from the NATO member states and EU countries,” the PISM newsletter reads, with the text of which it was reviewed by RT.
The text states that Russia is proposing to limit the spread of these weapons, as it is "concerned about the US military dominance in outer space," but at the same time it is creating similar systems.
“Russia is concerned about the growing technological advantage of the United States, as well as their military dominance in space, and is proposing the adoption of international laws aimed at limiting anti-satellite systems. At the same time, the Russian leadership is developing a kinetic anti-satellite weapon, which is positioned as a response to similar projects implemented by China, the USA and India, ”analysts of the institute say.
At the same time, Polish experts say that the Russian Federation intends to modernize anti-satellite systems as an “asymmetric response” to the steps of the United States.
“The anti-satellite weapon being created in Russia is an element of its“ asymmetric response ”to the development of American missile defense systems, new modifications of ground-based missiles and hypersonic weapons,” the authors of the article write.
However, Russian officials have repeatedly opposed the militarization of outer space. This phenomenon is considered one of the main threats to international security, said, in particular, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
“The possible implementation of US military space plans will hit the current system for ensuring the safety of space activities, which has become the result of the development of international space law. All of Washington’s previous attempts to secure superiority in the military sphere invariably ended in increased tension and the next rounds of the arms race, ”the Russian Foreign Ministry emphasized.
Earlier, American military policy was criticized by Russia's deputy representative at the UN office in Geneva, Andrei Belousov. According to him, Washington has long opposed efforts to develop documents aimed at preserving outer space for peaceful purposes.
“Russia, together with its like-minded people, is trying to prevent the arms race in outer space provoked by Western countries,” the diplomat added, speaking at the First Committee of the UN General Assembly.
As a military expert, editor of Arsenal of the Fatherland magazine Alexei Leonkov explained in an interview with RT, it is the United States that is currently working intensively on the creation of anti-satellite systems.
“If you read the latest Pentagon policy documents, you get the impression that the Americans are betting on just that. Moreover, there are large lobbying groups that promote decisions on the militarization of outer space. We are talking about the deployment of satellite groups that enhance missile defense, and satellite interceptors that can intercept not only parts of ballistic missiles and hypersonic weapons, but also eliminate other satellites, ”said Leonkov.
Military projects are aimed at maintaining the dominance of the United States outside the planet, and the issue of superiority is raised precisely in American documents, but not in Russian ones, the expert noted. He also stressed that Moscow has long been trying to resolve the situation with space. Washington was offered a draft treaty banning militarization, but the US refused.
Starting this year, a new structure is responsible for US actions in outer space - the Space Command (SPACECOM) as part of the Armed Forces. According to US President Donald Trump, the increased military presence is caused by threats from "opponents", which supposedly pose a danger to US satellites.
- US President Donald Trump signed a decree on the creation of the Space Command. February 19, 2019
- Reuters
- © Jim Young
US Bastion in Europe
In addition, PISM draws attention to the fact that now Russia can add anti-satellite functions to missile defense systems, such as A-235 and S-400, which are capable of inter-atmospheric interception. It is alleged that in the near future the Russian Federation will have the opportunity to use systems against civilian and military satellites in low Earth orbit, as well as deploy robotic satellites that disrupt the operation of technology in higher orbits.
Polish analysts also note that in the arsenal of the Russian Federation there are electronic warfare systems (EW) that can jam satellite signals.
Recall that last year, Norway accused the Russian military of interfering in the work of the GPS forces of the North Atlantic Alliance participating in the maneuvers. Russian President’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that Moscow does not know anything about alleged involvement in GPS problems, and stressed that Russia is often unfoundedly accused of such violations.
“We do not know anything about the fact that Russia may have something to do with glitches in the GPS system. Here you need to ask the experts or the Ministry of Defense. But you know that now there is a tendency to blame Russia in general for all mortal and other sins. As a rule, these accusations are groundless, ”the spokesman of the head of state emphasized.
Nevertheless, Polish specialists “in the light of the cyber operations carried out by Russia” come to the conclusion that Russia has technologies that allow it to influence the work of civilian and military satellites.
“The country has equally advanced technologies for carrying out cyber attacks on civilian satellites, which, as a rule, have less reliable protection than military equipment. It should be emphasized that all of the non-military means listed above can also allow Russia to secretly interfere with the work of the enemy’s military satellites in peacetime, ”the report said.
Statements that Russia poses a “threat” in space are not the first time. Most often, this is said by the American high-ranking military. So, in September, General Joseph Dunford, the chairman of the committee of chiefs of staff of the US Armed Forces, spoke on this subject.
“In the 1990s, when we (USA. - RT ) deployed significant forces in space, we proceeded from the fact that we would not have rivals there. Today rivalry has unfolded in space, ”he stated.
And in April, the acting head of the Pentagon, Patrick Shanahan, warned that Russia and China had already “militarized space” with the intention of endangering US satellites.
Poland’s traditionally spreads US ideas in Europe, said Dmitry Solonnikov, director of the Institute for Contemporary State Development.
“It is interesting to hear statements about the situation in space from such a“ great space power ”as Poland ... In fact, Warsaw is the US bastion in Europe. Her super task is to develop anti-Russian sentiments in all directions, ”he told RT.
Alexei Leonkov, in turn, suggested that Poland is trying to set the world community against Russia in outer space in order to completely untie the US hands in the militarization of this sphere.
- American Orbital Aircraft X-37B
- Reuters
- © Boeing / Vandenberg Air Force Base
Discussion of the response
PISM officials believe that NATO allies should analyze the potential actions of the bloc in connection with the possible use of anti-satellite weapons. In particular, the alliance needs to decide whether the destruction of a member’s satellite is considered a pretext for activating the Fifth Article of the NATO Charter, which includes the use of force in response to an attack on one of the countries.
“NATO needs to consider the implications of the use of anti-satellite weapons in the framework of the Fourth Article of the Washington Treaty,” the article says.
In its turn, the Fourth article states that countries will consult with each other, "if, in the opinion of any of them, the territorial integrity, political independence or security of any of the contracting parties are threatened."
“It may turn out that the use of non-military means to disrupt the operation of a satellite belonging to a NATO member state will be discussed in accordance with the aforementioned Fourth Article. The Alliance may conclude that the physical destruction of such a satellite is considered an act of aggression requiring the application of the Fifth Article, ”the report says.
Another tip from the Polish organization is to work out scenarios of attacks on satellites during exercises, as well as to raise awareness of citizens about the vulnerability of space technology. Analysts recalled that Poland plans to acquire reconnaissance satellites.
It is worth noting that now NATO is considering space as a new sphere for its operations along with airspace, land, maritime territories and the cyber sphere. This was announced on November 20 by the Secretary General of the Alliance Jens Stoltenberg.
He emphasized that space has become a part of everyday life on earth and can be used “both for peaceful purposes and for aggression”. At the same time, NATO does not plan to deploy weapons there, Stoltenberg said.
The buildup of the military and space power of NATO countries may force Russia to retaliate, experts interviewed by RT say.
“Space is becoming an arena for the development of new technologies, including defense ones, for a number of states. It would be strange if Russia didn’t react to it in any way, ”said Dmitry Solonnikov.
Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin assured that Russia would quickly create reciprocal technologies if the United States deployed weapons in space. At the same time, he added that such an attitude to security is not happy.
“Things can go so far that some strike complexes will hang over the head of each state. The flight time to the relevant targets will be five, seven, eight minutes. And managing these systems is not easy in outer space. Technological failures, anything, ”he emphasized.