US okays space force, Russia pipeline sanctions

THE US Senate approved a massive defence spending bill on Tuesday, sending President Donald Trump a $738 billion package that creates a new space force, fulfilling a presidential priority, and seeks to curb Russia’s sprawling energy ambitions.

The National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA), which passed 86 to eight, marks a jump from the $716 billion in funding authorised last year.

It will go to fund a wide range of military activities, from war-fighting in Afghanistan and shipbuilding to boosting intelligence efforts against Russia and expanding air fleets including drones.

The NDAA also includes a 3.1 per cent raise for members of the military, their highest in a decade.

It notably will create a space-based sixth branch of the military after the US Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.

According to the legislation, the so-called Space Force will operate within the Department of the US Air Force, much as the Marine Corps falls under the Department of the Navy.

“Its mission will be to deter hostile actions in space against the United States and its allies,” Senator Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said on the floor of the chamber.

Trump launched a new Pentagon command dedicated to warfare in space in August, as US armed forces chiefs see China and Russia pressing hard to erode the US advantage in the newest military frontier.

The space command was a smaller presidential initiative that is part of the much larger and ambitious Space Force, which required congressional approval.

Inserted in the lengthy text is a set of sanctions aimed at halting further construction of the $10.6 billion Nord Stream 2 pipeline being built under the Baltic Sea and which is set to double shipments of Russian natural gas to Germany.

US lawmakers have warned it would send billions of dollars to Moscow and vastly increase President V ladimir Putin’s influence in Europe at a time of heightened tension.