NATO is alarmed by the fact that russia is considering the possibility of deploying nuclear weapons in space. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said this in an interview with the Welt am Sonntag newspaper. He called the development "alarming".
NATO fears that russia could also wage war in space in the future, using nuclear weapons against satellites.
"We are aware of reports that russia is studying the possibility of deploying nuclear weapons in space," said the NATO Secretary General.
According to Rutte, Moscow's capabilities in space are outdated and not on par with the West: "Therefore, developing nuclear weapons in space is a way for russia to improve its capabilities. This is very worrying."
He also said that this would be a violation of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty.
The agreement was initiated by the United States and the Soviet Union. Since then, it has become part of international law. The treaty is designed to ensure the peaceful use of outer space. At the same time, it prohibits the placement of weapons of mass destruction in space. The aim was to curb the arms race on the Earth between the then superpowers.
Rutte explained that NATO allies are adapting to new challenges in space. They are exchanging intelligence, creating national space commands and developing smaller, more maneuverable and better protected satellites. Space is very important for NATO's deterrence and defense.
"In recent years, space has become increasingly crowded, dangerous and unpredictable. We know that competition in space is fierce and is becoming more and more fierce. And not only in commercial terms. This affects all of our security," Rutte said.
Rutte also announced for the first time the strengthening of satellite surveillance of the Arctic: "We see China and russia increasingly using new sea routes and militarizing parts of the Arctic. Satellites can help us track movements on land and at sea, as well as provide our troops with reliable and secure communications."
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