---
title: "DIA Warns China Could Deploy Orbital Laser Weapons by the End of the Decade"
description: "The DIA has warned that China could deploy laser weapons in orbit by the end of the decade, threatening U.S. satellites. Beijing has rejected the warning, accusing the U.S. of militarizing space."
date: 2026-10-28T12:32:02.070Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/china-may-deploy-laser-weapons-in-space
tags: [space-weapons, china-us, directed-energy, satellites, dia, space-security]
author: "Alexander Buran"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# DIA Warns China Could Deploy Orbital Laser Weapons by the End of the Decade

![Chinese modular space station in Earth orbit with solar panels](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/28/kitay-mozhet-vyvesti-lazernoe-oruzhie-v-kosmos/kitay-mozhet-vyvesti-lazernoe-oruzhie-v-kosmos-1.webp)

## Key Points

- In an October 26 report, the DIA assessed that China could deploy directed-energy weapons in orbit by the end of the decade.
- According to intelligence, China already possesses ground-based lasers capable of jamming or destroying satellites in low Earth orbit.
- China rejected the warning, stating that Washington is exaggerating the threat and militarizing space itself, including through the "Yellow Dome" program.
- Unlike ground-based systems, space lasers are not constrained by atmosphere and weather and do not generate massive amounts of space debris.

On October 26, the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) published a report titled "Security Challenges in Space"—the third document in a series assessing China's and Russia's military space programs, which also examines new capabilities of Iran and North Korea. The key finding of the document: in addition to its existing ground-based laser systems, Beijing is developing directed-energy weapon systems capable of operating directly in space and could deploy them in orbit by the end of the current decade. According to the report's authors, this will pose an additional threat to American military satellites amid the two powers' growing competition for orbital dominance.

### What is Directed-Energy Weapons

Directed-energy weapons (DEW) use focused electromagnetic energy—powerful lasers or high-power microwaves—to disrupt, disable, or destroy targets without the direct physical impact characteristic of traditional missiles. According to the DIA, China currently possesses numerous ground-based laser systems capable of jamming, degrading, or destroying satellites in low Earth orbit. By the end of the decade, the agency assesses, Beijing may not only deploy directed-energy weapons in orbit but also build ground-based lasers powerful enough to damage U.S. satellites.

### Expansion of China's Anti-Satellite Arsenal

Intelligence data indicates that DEW systems will complement China's existing counterspace arsenal, which includes interceptor missiles, electronic warfare capabilities, cyberattack tools, and maneuverable satellites designed to reach targets. In August 2026, U.S. Space Command chief General Stephen Whiting warned that China possesses anti-satellite missiles, ground-based lasers, electronic warfare assets, and maneuverable multi-role satellites that, he said, could undermine Washington's space superiority and give Beijing an advantage in orbital maneuverability and logistics. U.S. Space Operations Chief General Chance Saltzman added that Chinese ground-based lasers can disrupt or damage satellite sensors: low-power systems can temporarily blind optical sensors, while more powerful versions are potentially capable of irreversibly destroying individual satellite components.

### Washington's Position and Beijing's Response

In September 2026, U.S. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink stated that Washington possesses orbital space-weapon command systems capable of protecting U.S. and allied forces, though the type and technical characteristics of this weaponry were not disclosed. China rejected the U.S. warnings, stating that Washington is exaggerating the threat while simultaneously pursuing its own military space programs, including the "Yellow Dome" missile defense initiative. Beijing subsequently accused the U.S. of preparing for war in space, warning of the risk of turning the orbital environment into a battlefield and triggering a new arms race.

### Why Space Lasers Change the Balance of Power

Compared to ground-based systems, space-based laser weapons can compensate for atmospheric, weather, and visibility limitations: they can maintain a focused beam on a target longer, reach satellites in higher orbits, and engage multiple targets along successive orbital trajectories. An additional advantage is the absence of the large amount of space debris generated by kinetic anti-satellite missile intercepts, which persists for years and threatens satellites on both sides. The U.S. military relies heavily on satellites for navigation, reconnaissance, surveillance, missile warning, and communications, meaning their disruption could undermine Washington's ability to coordinate operations. According to intelligence estimates, China could use DEWs to disrupt low-Earth-orbit constellations such as Starlink and strike targets in higher orbits, making it harder to identify the source of an attack, assess damage, and choose a response.

## Accounts differ

### China's development of space-based directed-energy weapons and the nature of the threat

- **U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA):** China possesses ground-based laser systems and could deploy directed-energy weapons in orbit by the end of the decade, posing a threat to American satellites ([vietnam.vn](https://www.vietnam.vn/ru/trung-quoc-bac-bo-canh-bao-cua-my-ve-trien-khai-vu-khi-laser-tren-khong-gian))
- **China:** The U.S. is exaggerating the threat while executing its own military space programs, including the "Yellow Dome" system, and preparing for war in space ([vietnam.vn](https://www.vietnam.vn/ru/trung-quoc-bac-bo-canh-bao-cua-my-ve-trien-khai-vu-khi-laser-tren-khong-gian))

*Where they agree:* The U.S. published the DIA report "Security Challenges in Space" on October 26, prompting a public response from China rejecting the warning contained within it

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [Китай отвергает предупреждения США о размещении лазерного оружия в космосе.](https://www.vietnam.vn/ru/trung-quoc-bac-bo-canh-bao-cua-my-ve-trien-khai-vu-khi-laser-tren-khong-gian) - Primary source: DIA report "Security Challenges in Space" dated October 26, assessments on ground-based and prospective orbital DEW systems, statements by Generals Whiting and Saltzman, Air Force Secretary Meink, and China's position.

## FAQ

### What is directed-energy weapons?

These are systems that use focused electromagnetic energy—powerful lasers or microwaves—to disrupt, disable, or destroy targets without the direct physical impact of traditional missiles.

### When does the DIA estimate China could deploy space laser weapons?

According to the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency, by the end of the current decade.

### How did China react to the U.S. warning?

Beijing rejected the warning, stating that the U.S. is exaggerating the threat while pursuing its own military space programs like the "Yellow Dome" initiative, and accused Washington of preparing for space war.