Donald Trump says he could launch 'space force' alongside the traditional branches of the military

'We're getting very big in space, both militarily and for other reasons, and we are seriously thinking of the Space Force'

U.S. President Donald Trump looks up toward the Solar Eclipse on the Truman Balcony at the White House on August 21, 2017 in Washington, DC (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Donald Trump could launch a space army to stand alongside the traditional branches of the military, he has said.

Speaking to the US Army, he said that the country needed to develop another group to fight in space, in what appeared to be a surprise announcement.

He told members of the Army football team during the presentation of a trophy that the administration is "seriously thinking" about establishing another branch of the military.

"You will be part of the five proud branches of the United States Armed Forces — Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and the Coast Guard," the president told the American football players, who were in the White House's rose garden.

"And we're actually thinking of a sixth, and that would be the Space Force," Trump added. "Does that make sense? The Space Force, General. You probably haven't even heard that. I’m just telling you now. This is perhaps — because we're getting very big in space, both militarily and for other reasons, and we are seriously thinking of the Space Force."

It is not the first time Mr Trump has suggested he will establish a space force. He first mentioned the idea in March, when he noted the growing importance of space as a potential battleground.

“I was saying it the other day, because we’re doing a tremendous amount of work in space - maybe we need a new force, we’ll call it the Space Force”, Mr Trump added. “I was not really serious, and then I said ‘what a great idea, maybe we’ll have to do that. That could happen’”.

Some had suggested that the president may have been joking, but a few days after the remarks the White House clarified that he was serious.

At the moment, the Air Force is responsible for any military concerns that might arise in space. But experts have warned that space will be increasingly contested in years to come, as increasingly complex weapons are built and more opportunities are opened up for exploring the area outside the Earth.

The rest of the presentation largely followed the usual schedule: Mr Trump saluted the Black Knights with the annual Commander-in-Chief's Trophy on Tuesday, recounting their victory over Navy on a snowy day in Philadelphia.

He also received a white Army jersey. It's the first Commander-in-Chief Trophy for West Point since 1996.