{"id":33542,"date":"2019-04-09T14:49:21","date_gmt":"2019-04-09T14:49:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2019\/04\/09\/chinese-threats-necessitate-new-space-structures-shanahan-warns\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T22:40:45","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T22:40:45","slug":"chinese-threats-necessitate-new-space-structures-shanahan-warns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/space\/2019\/04\/09\/chinese-threats-necessitate-new-space-structures-shanahan-warns\/","title":{"rendered":"Chinese threats necessitate new space structures, Shanahan warns"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. \u2014 China is the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.defensenews.com\/news\/your-military\/2019\/01\/15\/new-defense-intelligence-assessment-warns-china-nears-critical-military-milestone\/\" target=_blank>greatest threat<\/a> to America\u2019s assets in space, and that threat will only increase should the U.S. not adapt its war-fighting approach in orbit, the head of the Pentagon warned Tuesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Acting Defense Secretary <a href=\"https:\/\/www.defensenews.com\/pentagon\/2019\/03\/28\/whats-the-state-of-play-for-a-defense-secretary-shanahan\/\" target=_blank>Patrick Shanahan<\/a> used a keynote speech at the annual Space Symposium to highlight what he described as dangers from Beijing, and to use those concerns to make the case for why the U.S. needs a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.defensenews.com\/smr\/federal-budget\/2019\/03\/12\/heres-how-much-money-the-defense-department-wants-for-its-trio-of-new-space-organizations\/\" target=_blank>trio of new space organizations<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe threat is clear: We\u2019re in an era of great power competition, and the next major conflict may be won or lost in space,\u201d Shanahan said in prepared remarks. \u201cWe are not going to sit back and watch \u2014 we are going to act. We are going to deter conflict from extending into space and ensure we can respond decisively if deterrence fails.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Pentagon chief specifically called out a number of Chinese systems \u2014 including a ground-based laser \u2014 that could hold American capabilities at risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\t<aside class=\"smg-interstitial-link wp-block-smg-interstitial-link\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/c4isrnet\/c2-comms\/satellites\/2019\/04\/09\/what-new-threats-menace-the-peace-of-space\/\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/3941761.jpg.jpg?w=300\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"smg-interstitial-link__kicker\">Related<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"smg-interstitial-link__title\">The chicken-and-egg debate about new threats in space<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"smg-interstitial-link__excerpt\">Years before Space Force, nations set in motion the current state of weapons aimed at orbit.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\t\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cChina\u2019s Communist government has exercised and continues to develop the capability to jam, targeting [satellite communications; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities; and GPS,\u201d Shanahan said in prepared remarks. \u201cThe [People\u2019s Liberation Army] is also deploying directed-energy weapons, and we expect them to field a ground-based laser system aimed at low-orbit space sensors by next year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThey are also prepared to use cyberattacks against our space systems and have deployed an operational ground-based ASAT [anti-satellite] missile system. And China has moved rapidly in advanced weapon capabilities \u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.defensenews.com\/pentagon\/2019\/03\/21\/is-the-pentagon-moving-quickly-enough-on-hypersonic-defense\/\" target=\"_blank\">particularly hypersonics<\/a> \u2014 that we are not capable of tracking.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Notably, while Shanahan cited specific Chinese capabilities by name, Russia received only a passing mention, with the Shanahan noting that Moscow is \u201cdoing many of the exact same things\u201d as Beijing. Asked why the focus was so heavily on China, a senior defense official said the \u201cscale\u201d of Chinese activities is significantly more than that of Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe wake up much more worried about China every day than we do about Russia in space,\u201d the official said. \u201cLong term, China is the one that we\u2019re worried about. And it\u2019s China cyber, it\u2019s China space, it\u2019s China hypersonics \u2014 it\u2019s the whole package for China.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A former defense official familiar with space issues called that assessment \u201cobjectively true,\u201d noting that Russia\u2019s anti-space systems are \u201cmostly legacy and old, with a few bits of new development,\u201d while China has heavily invested in newer capabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBoth are threatening in their own ways, and they have different capabilities, but if you really think about it as a major threat in the event of a big war, China\u2019s [the concern],&#8221; the former official said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Though focused on anti-space capabilities, the speech contained no mention of the most recent anti-satellite test conducted in orbit \u2014 India\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.defensenews.com\/global\/asia-pacific\/2019\/03\/27\/in-wake-of-indian-anti-satellite-test-shanahan-urges-thoughtfulness-in-space\/\" target=_blank>destruction of a satellite<\/a> just two weeks ago. While the department has been vocal for years about Chinese anti-satellite capabilities violating norms of conduct, the Pentagon has largely remained silent on India\u2019s launch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"3000\" height=\"2000\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-170323618.jpg.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-72827\" srcset=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-170323618.jpg.jpg 3000w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-170323618.jpg.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-170323618.jpg.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-170323618.jpg.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-170323618.jpg.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-170323618.jpg.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 3000px) 100vw, 3000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Chinese chief mission commander Zhang Youxia, center, salutes after he announced the successful launch of the Shenzhou-10 on June 11, 2013. (AFP\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><b>The case for space<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Shanahan\u2019s speech kicks off what could be a major week for the Defense Department\u2019s plans to create Space Command, a Space Development Agency and eventually a Space Force. The acting secretary is slated to appear in front of the Senate on Thursday to defend the plan for all three organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His speech contained a trial run of the talking points that will likely come up during that hearing, including that the creation of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.defensenews.com\/space\/2019\/03\/01\/space-force-to-cost-2-billion-include-15000-personnel-in-first-five-years\/\" target=_blank>the Space Force will cost each American $1.50 every year in additional costs<\/a> after it is fully stood up, which is expected in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The speech also focused more on the case for the Space Force and the Space Development Agency, rather than the creation of Space Command, which has been the least controversial of the three proposals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe Space Force will develop requirements, work with interagency partners, engage with Congress and drive the organizational focus we need to win in space as the domain evolves,\u201d Shanahan said. \u201cThe Space Force is a low-cost, low-bureaucracy proposal to ensure that America will have the ability to protect and defend our space interests for decades to come.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t<aside class=\"smg-interstitial-link wp-block-smg-interstitial-link\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/space\/2019\/04\/08\/rep-jim-cooper-talks-trumps-space-force-takeover-and-whats-next-for-nukes-and-missile-defense\/\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2491528.jpg.jpg?w=300\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"smg-interstitial-link__kicker\">Related<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"smg-interstitial-link__title\">Rep. Jim Cooper talks Trump\u2019s Space Force takeover, and what\u2019s next for nukes and missile defense<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"smg-interstitial-link__excerpt\">Should there be a separate service for space? We check in with the head of the House Strategic Forces Subcommittee.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\t\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He added that the Space Force will lead in \u201crecruiting, educating and promoting space personnel\u201d across the department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Shanahan\u2019s reference to developing requirements was seen as a subtle jab at those who feel Space Command is all that\u2019s needed, according to the former defense official who spoke to Defense News. The former official also sides with those who worry the trio of new agencies will simply add bureaucracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt is more than a little ironic that the acting secretary is calling for unification and consolidation, while at the same time they are creating multiple more organizations with, apparently, different visions of the future,\u201d the former official said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The acting secretary also called on industry for help, saying the Space Development Agency in particular will be happy to incorporate commercial developments into its plans, and that overall the department wants to \u201crip off and deploy commercial market innovations.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOur competitors have made their choices. Space is under threat, but we are ready today and we will remain ready as these threats expand,\u201d he said. \u201cTo those who want to partner with us: Buckle up. We are seizing on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Pentagon chief is specifically calling out Chinese systems by name \u2014 including a ground-based laser \u2014 that could hold American capabilities at risk.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":35509,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-noindex":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-nofollow":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_acf":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":23,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","_smg_distribution_targets":{"2":{"categories":["pentagon-congress","news"],"primary_category":"pentagon-congress"},"4":{"categories":["pentagon-congress","news","daily-news-roundup","newsletters"],"primary_category":"pentagon-congress"}}},"categories":[160,29,163,36,19,23,102],"tags":[],"coauthors":[3378],"class_list":["post-33542","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-daily-news-roundup","category-digital-show-dailies","category-military-space-report","category-newsletters","category-pentagon","category-space","category-space-symposium"],"acf":{"subheadline":"","legacy_arc_id":"H5PIOGVLNBDIRPGMTKTSWPHIA4","arc_canonical_url":"\/space\/2019\/04\/09\/chinese-threats-necessitate-new-space-structures-shanahan-warns\/","remove_feature_photo":false,"is_sponsored":false,"subtype":"","redirect_url":"","disable_inline_ads":false,"native_logo_pretext":"Presented By:"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.0 (Yoast SEO v28.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Chinese threats necessitate new space structures, Shanahan warns - Defense News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Pentagon chief is specifically calling out Chinese systems by name \u2014 including a ground-based laser \u2014 that could hold American capabilities at risk.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Chinese threats necessitate new space structures, Shanahan warns\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The Pentagon chief is specifically calling out Chinese systems by name \u2014 including a ground-based laser \u2014 that could hold American capabilities at risk.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/space\/2019\/04\/09\/chinese-threats-necessitate-new-space-structures-shanahan-warns\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Defense News\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2019-04-09T14:49:21+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-08-07T22:40:45+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Aaron Mehta\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Aaron Mehta\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\n\t    \"@context\": \"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\n\t    \"@graph\": [\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"Article\",\n\t            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