Ukraine depends on Starlink - can Europe plug the gap?
Summary
Ukraine relies on SpaceX’s Starlink and Starshield satellite services for battlefield communications and military operations, including drone warfare. A recent slowdown highlighted the risks of depending on a network controlled by a U.S. company, while European alternatives cannot yet match its speed, coverage, or suitability for military use.Key Facts
- Starlink has more than 10,000 satellites, while Eutelsat’s OneWeb has about 600 active satellites.
- Ukraine uses Starlink for battlefield communications and Starshield for military purposes such as drone warfare.
- A recent Starlink slowdown in Ukraine was later restored and affected the country’s ability to defend against Russian attacks.
- Ukraine’s military personnel told the BBC that fast, reliable connectivity helps troops pass commands and data quickly.
- OneWeb terminals are larger and about five times more expensive than Starlink terminals, according to Eutelsat’s former CEO.
- The EU’s Iris² satellite network is not expected to be operational until 2029.
- The EU’s Govsatcom satellite-sharing network is an option for Ukraine, but it cannot support military warfare tasks such as controlling drones.
- It remains unclear who authorised the recent Starlink restrictions. The article describes conflicting claims involving the Pentagon, Donald Trump, and Elon Musk.
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