From Ottawa Citizen
[Canadian] Military wants way to attack
satellites
David Pugliese
The Ottawa Citizen
September 21,
2003
With space becoming increasingly important in military operations,
the Canadian Forces need the capability to conduct "non-lethal" attacks on
foreign satellites, according to a draft plan for the Defence Department's
future role in space.
"For the Canadian Forces, a limited capability to
interfere with an adversary's use of a space system, while maintaining their own
capability to use space systems, will be required," according to the strategy
paper. Such a tactic would require Canada to develop the ability to jam a
nation's links to its satellites.
"The Department of National Defence
requires the capability for localized, non-lethal negation of adversary space
systems," adds the draft version of Space Strategy 2020.
The report notes
that the only "lethal" method available to the Canadian Forces would be to
attack another country's satellite ground stations. The most likely time that
tactic would be used is in a coalition operation, it adds.
The strategy
stays clear of the controversial area of anti-satellite weapons such as those
already tested by the United States and Russia. In those cases, fighter jets
have used specialized missiles to destroy satellites. Some Pentagon officials
have also proposed placing anti-satellite weapons into space.
The
Canadian government has long had a policy of being against such attempts to
weaponize space. The recommendations in Space Strategy 2020 do not violate that
policy, since there would be no attempt by the Canadian military to put
anti-satellite weapons into orbit.
Defence Department officials say the
space strategy is still being worked on and has not yet been reviewed by senior
officials. A final strategy report is expected to be approved by the end of the
year.
Satellites have become part of the backbone of modern societies,
being vital for many telecommunications transmissions and economic transactions.
They are also playing an increasing role in military missions, both in
conducting surveillance and in communications.
Defence analyst John
Clearwater said Canada's allies, such as the U.S., are extremely interested in
developing new ways to attack other nations' satellites or jam transmissions
from those spacecraft. But he notes that western nations, in particular the
U.S., have the most to lose from such a strategy since their economies are
heavily reliant on satellites. If they proceed with such a policy, then that
would send a signal that U.S. and Canadian satellites can be attacked in
retaliation.
"You can easily shoot yourself in the foot with that type of
policy," said Mr. Clearwater, a specialist in space and nuclear weapons. He
noted that even the process of jamming another country's satellite links runs
the risk of being seen as an act of war.
The strategy document notes that
while investment in space capabilities is needed, the Canadian Forces "need not
aspire to become a space power."
But as military dependence on space
increases, the need for assured access to rocket launches for satellites and
other sensors will be important, according to the strategy paper. Western
nations usually rely on the U.S. or on European countries for such
launches.
One method around that could be the development of
micro-satellites, some the size of a suitcase, which could be put into orbit by
smaller Canadian-built rockets.
Space Strategy 2020 also recommends
better education and training in space matters for military officers. In
addition, it notes that Canadian troops need access to a tactical missile
warning system.
Such a system would alert them to launches of
shorter-range battlefield missiles such as Scuds.
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