Acting Pentagon Chief Defends Space Force to Counter China, Russia

President Donald Trump, flanked by acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan, second from left, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph Dunford, right, speaks during a meeting with military leaders in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, D.C. on April 3, 2019. At left is Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein. Susan Walsh/AP

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado— Sharpening his argument for a Space Force, the acting Pentagon chief on April 9 called it a “low cost, low bureaucracy” way to stay ahead of China, Russia and other nations seeking to erase American military advantages in space.

The Pentagon and Congress have discussed for years the possibility of establishing a military service for space, but some key lawmakers remain skeptical of the need and wary of the cost. The debate enters a new phase this week with the Senate Armed Services Committee holding its first hearing on Thursday on the administration’s proposal to phase in a Space Force over five years and establish a space warfighting command this year.