Europe Rushes to Develop Satellite Internet as Ukraine's Reliance on Starlink Sparks Concerns

Ukraine faces a critical need for a robust satellite internet service, but a viable alternative to Elon Musk's Starlink network is not yet available. A sudden slowdown of Starlink in Ukraine last week, which impacted Kyiv's ability to defend against Russian attacks, highlighted the country's vulnerability and has intensified Europe's efforts to establish its own military-grade satellite infrastructure.

While alternatives exist, they lag behind Starlink, the world's largest satellite constellation. France's Eutelsat, through its OneWeb service, is a primary contender, but it operates with approximately 600 active satellites compared to Starlink's over 10,000. The European Union is developing its own network, Iris², intended to rival Starlink, but it is not expected to be operational until 2029.

For Ukrainian soldiers on the front lines, reliable connectivity is a matter of life and death. "God forbid they shut it off completely, it would be an absolute catastrophe," one soldier told the BBC anonymously. "I don't give a damn how much an alternative costs when our lives are on the line."

Currently, Ukraine's most feasible option is to join Govsatcom, the EU's satellite sharing network, though it is not equipped for military operations such as drone control.

Why Starlink Dominates in Ukraine

Starlink, and its military-grade counterpart Starshield, both owned by SpaceX, have long dominated the global satellite market. Ukraine utilizes Starlink for battlefield communications and Starshield for military applications like drone warfare, benefiting from its fast, real-time connectivity crucial for defense and intercepting attacks. "You can't employ drone warfare without this kind of high-speed internet connection," stated Vincent Tourret, a researcher at the French Institute of International Relations.

The recent disruption to Starlink services, which has since been restored, exposed the risks associated with depending on a U.S. provider amidst deteriorating Kyiv-Washington relations. "Ukraine's defence cannot depend on Trump's or Musk's whims," tweeted French MEP Christophe Grudler. The exact authorization for these restrictions remains unclear, with conflicting accounts involving the Pentagon, Donald Trump, and Elon Musk.

Kari Bingen, director of the Aerospace Security Project at CSIS, noted that while Starlink has been a vital asset, the "flipside of that dependence" is Ukraine's lack of control over a critical military capability.

While other satellite networks are available to Ukraine, experts and soldiers confirm they are not as fast as Starlink. The compact and lightweight nature of Starlink terminals is also a significant advantage, allowing them to be mounted on various vehicles and drones. Eutelsat's terminals are larger and more expensive, limiting their deployment.

EU's Current and Future Offerings

Concerns over U.S. foreign policy have prompted the EU to urgently enhance its satellite capacities. "Europe has realised its security depends on space, and it must 'strengthen its satellite capacities, urgently,'" a European Commission spokesperson told the BBC.

Currently, the EU offers Govsatcom, established in January to facilitate satellite sharing among member states. Talks are underway with Kyiv to potentially join this network. However, Govsatcom cannot support military operations like drone piloting. This capability may be expanded by early next year when commercial providers like Eutelsat's OneWeb are expected to join the program.

Eutelsat has expressed confidence in supporting many of Ukraine's military communication needs, acknowledging the varied and extensive nature of these requirements. The company stated its commitment to providing resilient connectivity, highlighting its status as the only European operator with a fully operational Low Earth Orbit constellation.

Govsatcom is viewed as a temporary solution until the more advanced and secure Iris² network becomes available in 2029. Iris², a flagship EU project, is designed as a defense-focused network for governments, military, and emergency services, with guaranteed access for Ukraine.

While Iris² plans fewer satellites than Starlink, proponents argue its constellation design will allow for greater Earth coverage. Experts note that maintaining multiple communication systems is crucial for resilience, akin to having 4G and 3G as backups for 5G mobile service.

Other initiatives are also emerging, including a partnership between Finnish companies Nokia and ICEYE to develop satellite communications for Ukraine's defense. Additionally, Project Bromo, a joint venture by European satellite manufacturers, aims to compete with SpaceX but is in its early stages.

Space as the New Defense Frontier

Modern warfare increasingly relies on space-based assets. "Communication is so important, and terrestrial communication platforms... can be attacked on the ground," explained Eva Berneke. "It is a lot harder to shoot down an entire satellite network."

With a vast majority of global communications traveling via vulnerable undersea cables, satellite communication serves as a vital backup. The conflict in Ukraine has underscored the strategic importance of space-based communication for military operations and national security.