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The US has confirmed it has deployed space weapons in Earth’s orbit, the first time it has acknowledged such offensive capabilities.

US Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink said the “on orbit” weapon was necessary to safeguard US forces against hostile enemy action.

China responded by warning against an “arms race” in space. Its foreign ministry said: “We urge the US side to stop expanding its military capabilities and preparing for war in outer space.”

Russia said the US action threatened what it called long-term stability in space-based activity. Its foreign ministry said: “In pursuit of its narrow self-interests, Washington is ready to completely ignore the catastrophic consequences for humanity of any armed conflict in orbit.”

Speaking at the Air, Space and Cyber Conference on Monday, Meink said the US was ready for “evolving threats”, but did not elaborate on the weapon’s capabilities or when it was put into orbit.

Senior military leaders have previously said they planned to boost military capabilities in space, citing Russian and Chinese programmes developing ways to attack and disrupt US satellites in a future conflict.

A US Space Force spokesperson said: “Space control encapsulates the mission areas required to contest and control the space domain – employing kinetic and non-kinetic means to affect adversary capabilities through disruption, degradation and even destruction, if necessary.

Sophie Raworth presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Jonathan Beale.

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Andy Burnham has said the UK will provide “defensive air-to-air refuelling” support for Saudi Arabia, in response to attacks the country has faced from the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen.

The Houthis are locked in a civil war with Yemen’s internationally recognised government, which is backed by Saudi Arabia.

In recent days, the Houthis in Yemen say they have carried out drone and ballistic missile attacks on the Saudi capital Riyadh, as well as energy sites on the country’s Red Sea coast.

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