China’s growing military threat in the Indo-Pacific and expanding capabilities in the space domain underscores the need for integrated partnerships to preserve regional stability and ensure freedom of action across all domains.
PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo – Gen. Stephen Whiting, commander U.S. Space Command, traveled to the U.S. Indo-Pacific area of responsibility June 20-27, 2025, to meet with defense and industry space leaders from Australia, New Zealand and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.
The visit builds off recent progress within the command’s joint, combined and partnered approach, which is foundational to how it conducts operations. In the last year, USSPACECOM’s combined space operation,
Multinational Force Operation Olympic Defender, expanded to seven nations, with the most recent inclusion of New Zealand, France and Germany, joining alongside Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and United States. Dual-hatted as the MNF-OOD commander, Whiting announced in April its status of Initial Operating Capability and the development and approval of a Campaign Plan.
“Through strengthened partnerships, we build greater collective understanding of threats, a shared burden of space security, the ability to collectively shape norms of responsible behavior in space, and enhanced interoperability for combined operations should they be needed in conflict,” Whiting said.
As such, discussions during the visit focused heavily on advancing MNF-OOD objectives and acknowledging the threat the Communist Chinese Party poses to U.S. and allied interests, not only in the Indo-Pacific, but in the space domain.
Whiting highlighted three areas specifically, citing China’s space-based targeting system to “find, fix, track and target” U.S. and allied forces in the Indo-Pacific.
“They use that system to feed over the horizon fires to try to hold at risk these capabilities. So that's very concerning,” he said.
They are also fielding a suite of counterspace weapons, he said, including reversible cyber-attacks, satellite communication and GPS jamming, high-energy lasers, direct ascent anti-satellite (ASAT) rockets, missiles and co-orbital ASATs to hold space capabilities at risk. Finally, they are enabling the targeting of U.S. and allied interests by “leveraging space for all they can to make their forces better,” something they have learned from studying the U.S. and allies closely.
“They've moved breathtakingly fast as they have leveraged all the advantages of space to make their army, the People's Liberation Army, the People's Liberation Navy and the People's Liberation Air Force, more lethal, more precise and more far ranging, using space enabled services,” he said.
Despite the growing threats, the United States maintains advantages in space, the general said, highlighting specifically the unmatched commercial space sector, and its allies and partners.
While in Australia, Whiting’s stops in
Adelaide and Canberra enabled him to meet with counterparts across defense, government, and industry, to include Chief of the Defence Force Admiral David Johnston, Australian Chief of Joint Operations Vice Admiral Justin Jones, Chief Joint Capabilities Lt. Gen. Susan Coyle and Australian Space Command Commander Maj. Gen. Greg Novak, highlighting the strength of the bilateral relationship in the space domain.
“Our two countries, the United States and Australia, have been partners and allies for well over a century. Our militaries have served together in virtually every conflict over the past century, and our partnerships in space really go back to the very dawn of the space race,” Whiting said. “I'm not sure it's ever been more integrated at the level it is today.”
He acknowledged the obvious advantages that geography presents having such close partners in the Indo-Pacific region, but emphasized that it’s about more than geography, these Indo-Pacific nations are deeply trusted partners.
Throughout the visit, the enduring partnership between the United States and Australia in space security and innovation was front and center, showcasing growing space capabilities, including the 1 Space Surveillance Unit and the Joint Commercial Operations Cell, which combines global commercial space domain awareness capabilities with military oversight from allies to support real-time detection and characterization of space events. The visit also showed emerging technologies developed in collaboration with the Defence Science and Technology Group.
“This visit is another step forward in building a truly integrated and trusted partnership in space,” Coyle said. “Australia and the United States share a common vision for a free and secure space environment, and together we are making that vision real through joint projects, shared planning, and advanced capability development.”
In addition to formal meetings across the space enterprise, Whiting took time to honor the contributions of Australian servicemembers as part of the “
Last Post Ceremony” at the Australian War Memorial.
While in
New Zealand, Whiting’s first visit to the country, he met with the Minister for Space Judith Collins, Chief of Defence Force Air Marshal Tony Davies, Chief of Air Force Air Vice-Marshal Darryn Webb, New Zealand Defence Force Space Operations personnel and members of space industry. They also spoke about the importance of the domain, the increasing threats and opportunities for strengthened partnerships to bolster deterrence.
“We believe we are better when operating together and we have a long tradition and history of operating with our Kiwi allies and friends. We are excited about the steps we are taking forward in space,” Whiting said.
Whiting also visited the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s Base Auckland ahead of the launch of the Air Force’s No. 62 Squadron, which will implement New Zealand Defence Force Space Operations.
“General Whiting’s visit highlights just how strong the NZ-US partnership really is–and what a valued role New Zealand plays in space. We’re working together more closely than ever, and it’s clear we share the same vision: keeping the Indo-Pacific and beyond free, open, and secure for everyone,” said U.S. Embassy New Zealand Chargé d’affaires David Gehrenbeck.
The last stop on his multi-day trip included meetings in Hawaii, where Whiting met with the commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Adm. Sam Paparo, and various U.S. military components and leadership on the island.
He received a tour of the U.S. Pacific Fleet Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG 121), led by CAPT. Kevin Louis, commanding officer of the ship, where they discussed space domain awareness and precision targeting capabilities, and the ability to project power globally through the maritime and space domains.
USSPACECOM is deepening integration across services and combatant commands to ensure globally synchronized operations. Space is vital to joint warfighting, and leveraging expertise and shared planning strengthens the joint force across all domains.