The Battle of the Powers in Space: China Is Closing the Gap with the USA
The struggle between the powers has crossed the boundaries of the atmosphere and includes hundreds of satellites stationed in space that may play a decisive role in a future campaign.
China has increased the number of its satellites by hundreds of percent over the last decade, and today controls about 600 satellites in space. These satellites are equipped with advanced technology, including an upgraded navigation system. Improved capabilities in space allow China to collect extensive intelligence across the globe and even attack other satellites.
The Pentagon is monitoring the Chinese buildup with concern. China has set a clear vision for itself — to become the most powerful nation in the world in the coming decades. On the way there, it is rapidly developing its military capabilities in space. The Wall Street Journal reported overnight that China is rapidly closing the gap with the United States outside the atmosphere. According to the report, Beijing has made significant progress in upgrading its navigation system, which competes with the American GPS, as well as in intelligence-gathering capabilities using satellites to collect information from the Earth's surface. These systems allow China to monitor troop movements and military developments around the world, and to execute military operations with greater precision.
The data reflects a new reality. China has accelerated the deployment of civilian and military systems in orbit around the Earth, while integrating technological progress and expanding its satellite arrays. The American newspaper reported 595 Chinese satellites in space today, compared to 99 in 2016. In many areas, such as navigation, positioning, and signals intelligence, China has more satellites than any other country in the world.
The Chinese buildup in space is causing concern in Washington. In the latest campaign, the US State Department accused Chinese companies of providing satellite imagery that Iran may use to direct attacks against American forces in the Middle East, and it was reported that the US suspects China is providing intelligence to Iran.
According to a report submitted to Congress in 2024, Beijing's progress is expected to allow the Chinese military to track American forces and attack them with greater success, at longer ranges, and with higher precision. The Pentagon noted in its latest annual report on the Chinese military, published in December, that the improved capabilities and the growing number of China's intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance satellites have increased its ability to monitor the assets and activities of the US military and its allies across the Pacific Ocean, and to provide targeting support for long-range strike chains.
At the same time, the US Space Force has warned that China is developing space warfare capabilities that could be used as offensive weapons to disable enemy satellites or move them out of their orbit. In addition, according to assessments, the Chinese military possesses ground-based laser weapons capable of temporarily blinding or causing permanent damage to satellite sensors. The Defense Intelligence Agency estimates that China intends to equip itself with anti-satellite weapons that could hit targets located at an altitude of up to 36,000 kilometers above the Earth's surface.
