Starlink satellite system shaping modern warfare

DW (English)

Starlink provides Ukraine with high-speed internet — vital for communication and drone operations. But control over the system lies with Elon Musk. How risky is that?

Transcript

00:00The influence of private companies in Ukraine is greater than in previous conflicts, as demonstrated by Starlink and SpaceX.

00:09Starlink supplies Ukraine with fast Internet, even where communications infrastructure has been destroyed.

00:16This is crucial for drone warfare and the exchange of data.

00:21Portable terminals like this are used to connect to SpaceX's satellite network.

00:27Individual weapon systems are rarely game-changers.

00:31If you put a gun to my head and asked me to name one, I'd say Starlink.

00:35Because that's what makes this war so unique.

00:38The acceleration of operations through high-bandwidth communication.

00:45Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, is well aware of his growing geopolitical influence.

00:50He tweeted,

00:52My Starlink system is the backbone of the Ukrainian army. Their entire frontline would collapse if I turned it off.

00:58According to an investigation by Reuters, US negotiators threatened to cut Ukraine's access to Starlink,

01:05pressuring the country into unfavorable natural resource deals.

01:10For now, Ukraine will continue to use Starlink, but for how long?

01:14After all, Elon Musk is notoriously unpredictable.

01:17And his power consolidated by the many governments that use his services.

01:22Be it Starlink or its military counterpart, Starshield.

01:26In fact, Starlink is so effective and important that many governments, Washington and the Pentagon, have gone to SpaceX to request access.

01:38But the problem for many countries is, how can we solve this for ourselves?

01:43How much can we rely on the private sector?

01:46What kind of contracts are needed and what needs to be handled by the state?

01:51And what maybe we have to solve at all?

01:55How much can we solve at all?

01:56And what perhaps we have to solve at all?

02:05And how much can we solve at all?

02:11What should we solve at all?

02:14You'll be imagining.

02:16See you, you are all in the same situation.

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