The Times: US shares top-secret Chinese and Russian space intelligence with UK, allies

The United States has begun sharing some of its most highly classified intelligence on Chinese and Russian space operations with the United Kingdom and other Five Eyes allies in a major strategic shift described as “momentous”, The Times revealed in its latest piece.

Previously, the operations of Space Delta 9—a unit of the US Space Force dedicated to orbital warfare—were strictly designated “US eyes only,” accessible solely to American personnel with top-secret clearance. That changed this month as the US military took the unprecedented step of opening its intelligence to select allies amid growing alarm over China’s rapid militarisation of space.

As part of this shift, Air Marshal Johnny Stringer, the UK’s Deputy Commander of NATO’s Allied Air Command, was recently briefed on a sensitive US reconnaissance programme that surveils other nations’ satellites. These briefings took place at Schriever Space Force Base in Colorado, the headquarters of Space Delta 9.

US officials are increasingly concerned about the pace at which China and Russia are advancing their space capabilities. China, in particular, has been investing heavily in space-based intelligence operations. “We have to be ready for that fight that nobody wants to have,” said Colonel Ramsey Horn, commander of Space Delta 9.

In the event of a military conflict between the US and China, such as a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan, Chinese space assets would be used to track the movement of US forces. During a briefing at the US embassy in London, Colonel Horn stated that the US possesses the capability to defeat adversaries in space, delivering a pointed message to Beijing about Washington’s preparedness to counter any aggressive actions in the Indo-Pacific.

The US is also working on developing space-based weapons to protect Western satellites from possible attacks. In recent weeks, a decision was made to intensify cooperation with the UK and other Five Eyes partners — Canada, Australia, and New Zealand — by granting them access to the most sensitive US intelligence on malign activities in space.

According to Horn, this collaboration allows the allies to help address US vulnerabilities in orbit, while the US, in turn, provides its partners with the benefit of a decade’s worth of accumulated expertise in space security. Intelligence sharing has recently accelerated to strengthen allied cooperation in confronting shared threats.

Delta 9 officials referred to the move as “momentous.” As part of the collaboration, Stringer was shown how the US uses advanced reconnaissance systems to monitor Chinese and Russian satellites. These operations include deploying a high-resolution, precision camera system described as “exquisite,” capable of capturing detailed images of satellites and determining whether their behaviour warrants concern.

Some satellites, Horn noted, are believed to have dual-use purposes. While they may appear to serve commercial functions, they could also have undisclosed military applications. “Is that really a satellite communications platform as advertised, or is there something else onboard we need to be concerned about?” Horn asked.

Looking ahead, the US is considering embedding UK exchange officers within the Delta 9 unit, marking another step toward deepening transatlantic space cooperation.

Colonel Horn added that Delta 9 is fully prepared to respond to hostile actions in space if necessary. “We are more ready than we have ever been to execute combat operations if we have an adversary that chooses to challenge that peace,” he said.

According to Horn, Beijing launched at least 66 satellites in the past year — more than in any previous year — as part of its expanding space programme. He warned that China is aiming to build a “kill web,” using space-based assets to track US forces around the world. This tracking system could enable China to identify and strike targets using hypersonic missiles in the event of war.

To counter this threat, the US and UK are working together to enhance the detection and tracking of hypersonic weapons.

While the Five Eyes alliance has long maintained a robust intelligence-sharing relationship, some of the information now being exchanged was previously considered too sensitive to share outside US government channels.

By Tamilla Hasanova