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Starlink secured Pentagon contract for satellite internet in Ukraine
Discussions and uncertainties surrounding funding have thus ended. Details of the contract were not disclosed
June 2, 2023, 12:57
On Thursday, the Pentagon announced that it has signed a contract with satellite communications service Starlink, founded by tech billionaire Elon Musk. Under the contract, Starlink will provide its services to Ukraine.
"We continue to work with a number of global partners to ensure that Ukraine has the robust satellite and communications capabilities it needs. Satellite communications are an important component of Ukraine's communications network, and the Pentagon has contracted with Starlink to provide these types of services," a Pentagon statement said.
Details of the contract were not disclosed. According to media reports, the contract includes providing satellite terminals and services to the Ukrainian military. The Pentagon plans to secure funding through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, a U.S. government grant program aimed at strengthening Ukraine's defenses.
Secure connectivity
Shortly after the Russian war of aggression began in late February, Space X activated the Starlink satellite Internet service in Ukraine and deployed the appropriate receiving equipment. The system enables high-speed Internet connections via dedicated satellites. In areas where infrastructure has been destroyed and there is no longer access to mobile communications and the Internet, Starlink acts as an important means of communication for both civilians and the Ukrainian military.
The Pentagon's contract is significant for Ukraine because Starlink has been a source of uncertainty in the past. For example, the operator Space X prevented the Ukrainian armed forces from using the service to control drones because it was only intended for civilian purposes, thus entangling itself in contradictions. Before that, Elon Musk had announced that he would generally no longer pay for Starlink because the operating costs were too expensive - only to row back again.
Attempts to disrupt
Russia's attempts at sabotage also show how important maintaining Starlink is for Ukraine. As revealed in a U.S. intelligence report, Moscow has reportedly been working for months on the so-called Tobol complex, which is designed to disrupt Starlink's transmissions in Ukraine. Starlink is apparently a thorn in the side elsewhere, too: Chinese military researchers have long called for the monitoring of all Starlink satellites - and the ability to destroy them in an emergency. (red, Reuters, 6/2/2023)
S | AJune 2, 2023, 12:57
On Thursday, the Pentagon announced that it has signed a contract with satellite communications service Starlink, founded by tech billionaire Elon Musk. Under the contract, Starlink will provide its services to Ukraine.
"We continue to work with a number of global partners to ensure that Ukraine has the robust satellite and communications capabilities it needs. Satellite communications are an important component of Ukraine's communications network, and the Pentagon has contracted with Starlink to provide these types of services," a Pentagon statement said.
Details of the contract were not disclosed. According to media reports, the contract includes providing satellite terminals and services to the Ukrainian military. The Pentagon plans to secure funding through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, a U.S. government grant program aimed at strengthening Ukraine's defenses.
Secure connectivity
Shortly after the Russian war of aggression began in late February, Space X activated the Starlink satellite Internet service in Ukraine and deployed the appropriate receiving equipment. The system enables high-speed Internet connections via dedicated satellites. In areas where infrastructure has been destroyed and there is no longer access to mobile communications and the Internet, Starlink acts as an important means of communication for both civilians and the Ukrainian military.
The Pentagon's contract is significant for Ukraine because Starlink has been a source of uncertainty in the past. For example, the operator Space X prevented the Ukrainian armed forces from using the service to control drones because it was only intended for civilian purposes, thus entangling itself in contradictions. Before that, Elon Musk had announced that he would generally no longer pay for Starlink because the operating costs were too expensive - only to row back again.
Attempts to disrupt
Russia's attempts at sabotage also show how important maintaining Starlink is for Ukraine. As revealed in a U.S. intelligence report, Moscow has reportedly been working for months on the so-called Tobol complex, which is designed to disrupt Starlink's transmissions in Ukraine. Starlink is apparently a thorn in the side elsewhere, too: Chinese military researchers have long called for the monitoring of all Starlink satellites - and the ability to destroy them in an emergency. (red, Reuters, 6/2/2023)