Why Global Militaries Are Competing to Develop Their Own Starlink Satellites

Starlink’s satellite constellation delivers reliable internet connectivity to nearly every corner of the Earth, enhancing operational capabilities in modern military applications. However, the network is overseen by the controversial billionaire Elon Musk, posing potential challenges for military reliance on external internet services.

Comprising approximately 10,000 satellites, the Starlink network facilitates internet access through small terrestrial dishes, reportedly serving over 10 million paying civilian clients. The system is also essential for military operations, which rely heavily on data, high-definition video feeds, and drone controls around the clock.

In contrast to traditional radio systems that can be easily jammed, Starlink’s signals are sent directly into space from ground stations, making them more resilient. Additionally, the affordable receivers enable deployment by small military units and are compatible with both ground and airborne drones.

Given escalating global tensions and nations vying for control over critical technologies, such as nuclear deterrents, relying on foreign services like Starlink for military communication is increasingly seen as a vulnerability, especially under Musk’s unpredictable stewardship.

During the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia since the 2022 invasion, Starlink has proven invaluable. Reports indicate that Russian drones were guided using Starlink technology; however, access to the service was restricted for Russian military operations in February, significantly impacting their operational coordination. This situation temporarily favored Ukraine, illustrating the risks other nations face in relying on a foreign-controlled satellite network.

The European Union is currently developing an alternative system known as Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity, and Security through Satellites (IRIS²), which aims to deploy around 300 satellites by 2030. Meanwhile, China is working on a similar project, the Guowang Network, expected to comprise 13,000 satellites, although fewer than 200 are operational at present. The Qianho Constellation is also in its initial building phase, and Russia’s Sfera Constellation has encountered delays.

Additionally, individual European nations are pursuing independent satellite initiatives apart from the EU umbrella. Germany is in talks to construct its own network, while Britain invests in Eutelsat OneWeb, a crucial satellite internet provider that previously avoided bankruptcy due to its technology. A British startup, OpenCosmos, is also developing a comparable system, supported by the CIA.

According to Anthony King, a professor at Exeter University in the UK, it’s remarkable that private telecommunications companies wield so much influence in global conflicts, often determining tactical advantages. However, with the rise of superpowers, future secure satellite communications will likely evolve. “Certainly, China is advancing their capabilities,” he remarked, emphasizing that secure satellite communication will become vital in future military scenarios.

Rising Costs

Although Starlink is a private entity, Barry Evans from the University of Surrey highlights the availability of a secure military version known as StarShield, which is partly funded by the U.S. government because of its strategic importance.

“Dependence on private entities raises concerns in Europe,” Evans noted. “With Musk’s unpredictable shutoff times across different regions, this uncertainty is especially worrisome for the UK, given its insufficiency of funds to develop an independent system.”

Currently, Russia and China lag behind Starlink, which operates under the wholly owned rocket company SpaceX, enabling more economical satellite launches on a flexible schedule, according to Evans.

Building expansive satellite networks incurs massive initial costs, but ongoing maintenance and regular satellite launches are essential to replace those that fail or exhaust their fuel reserves, complicating sustainability. The UK lacks independent launch capabilities, implying reliance on external partners for its satellite constellation.

Ian Muirhead at Manchester University, who has extensive military communications experience, explains that militaries have transitioned from using radios to temporary cell networks for combat communication. However, following the Cold War, shaping such networks became prohibitively costly, leading military operations to opt for satellite communications instead. Starlink simplifies this process, providing higher capabilities at lower costs and complexities.

“Moreover, when considering space warfare, there are benefits arising from the multitude of satellites,” Muirhead added. “It’s difficult to neutralize a satellite system since they constantly orbit overhead.”

SpaceX did not respond to a request for comment.