France and the United States to Conduct Joint Space Exercise to Contain China
On Tuesday, September 30, a senior U.S. general told Reuters that France and the United States plan to conduct a second joint space mission, during which coordinated orbital maneuver exercises will be carried out to enhance both sides' space reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities, thereby countering China's growing influence in the space domain.
This will be the third known joint space exercise between the United States and its allies. Previously, the U.S. Department of Defense had conducted one joint orbital maneuver operation with France. In addition, earlier this month, the United States also launched a space mission in collaboration with the United Kingdom.
"We are currently planning an operation with France," said General Douglas L. Schwalbe, commander of the U.S. Space Force, in an interview with Reuters. He also noted that future exercises might involve more countries, "I think we may conduct more similar operations." The French Space Command did not comment on the project, but emphasized that they must be prepared for real-world space military operations.
In recent years, space has increasingly become the front line of global military confrontation. Countries continue to deploy new satellites, which play a crucial role in communication and intelligence gathering, but are also facing growing threats.
China, Russia, and the United States have all demonstrated the capability of anti-satellite weapons and launched spacecraft for close-range operations. This has heightened concerns about potential space conflicts. If war breaks out, related attacks could cripple the global GPS system or cut off communication links relied upon by the armies of various countries.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1844714145992714/
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