Russia and China accused of posing daily space threat as UK Space Command opens

Russia and China have been accused of posing 'daily threats' with their space activity by a top military chief.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston said the countries were engaging in “questionable” activity such as flying satellites within “close proximity” of others on a daily basis.

He also said that they were gathering intelligence, warning that future conflicts would be “won or lost in space”.

Sir Mike was speaking at the launch of a new Space Command HQ, which is aimed at stopping attacks on UK interests 60 miles above the earth.

The £1.4billion cost over 10 years adds another layer to the Armed Forces and will primarily guard against Russia and China.

UK Space Command's headquarters are based at RAF High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire ( UK Ministry of Defence 2021)

Sir Mike told The Telegraph “reckless” behaviour from the two nations was seen “several times a year.”

He said: "A future conflict may not start in space, but I’m in no doubt that it will come very quickly to space, and it may well be won or lost in space.

“If we don’t think, and prepare for that today, then we won’t be ready when the time comes.”

General Sir Patrick Sanders, the head of Britain’s Strategic Command, also spoke of the impact a 'space war' would have for civilians and soldiers.

He said satellites provided “critical capabilities” to the military, but also enabled technology “we all know and recognise on our mobile phones to the technology that enables us to navigate the Carrier Strike Group around the globe”.

Air Vice Marshal Paul Godfrey, commander of UK Space Command, added: “The space domain is vital, not just in enabling military operations across the world, but in the day-to-day lives of everyone across the nation.”

Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston (r) said Russia and China were engaging in “questionable” activity ( Royal Air Force)

The Ministry of Defence has warned attacks on UK property in space could be devastating to Britain’s defence, economy and infrastructure.

It comes as the Pentagon warned the world is moving closer to nuclear war with Russia and China.

North Korea is also said to have accelerated testing of missiles capable of reaching America's homeland.

And Iran has is believed to have the technology to create a nuclear weapon within a year.

The US has reportedly tried to negotiate reductions in nuclear weapons capabilities since since 2010.

But it has been unsuccessful at doing so and the report suggested it had in fact done the opposite.

"Rather, they have moved decidedly in the opposite direction," says the report, released earlier this month which specifically mentions Russia, China, North Korea and Iran.

The Pentagon report says: "As a result, there is an increased potential for regional conflicts involving nuclear-armed adversaries in several parts of the world and the potential for adversary nuclear escalation in crisis or conflict."

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