Air Force Gen. Kevin Chilton, head of US Strategic Command, wants to avoid increased tension between the US and China over space. He said Tuesday during a speech at a strategic space symposium in Omaha, Neb., that he hopes that dialogue between the two nations will mitigate increased competition in the space realm, the Omaha World-Herald reported Wednesday. “I don’t think either country … is interested in a future arms race,” he said. According to the newspaper, Chilton reiterated the US would welcome more transparency by the Chinese military to better understand Chinese intentions as China rapidly expands its space and satellite capabilities. At the end of October, Chilton hosted a visit by Gen. Xu Caihou, China’s second-highest ranking uniformed officer, at STRATCOM headquarters at Offut AFB, Neb. More dialogue is sought, said Chilton. (For more, read Associated Press’ Nov. 3 report.)
The U.S. supports “a stronger and more capable” European defense, Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III said during an Oct. 22 press conference in Brussels—but that defense should not duplicate the functions and capabilities of the NATO alliance.