Ukraine Gains Access to Starshield Satellite Network

Ukraine has received access to the Starshield satellite communication network, a secure and military-grade version of SpaceX’s Starlink service. This agreement was made possible through a contract between the Pentagon and SpaceX, as reported by Bloomberg.

The contract, signed in August 2024, allows 2,500 existing Starlink terminals in Ukraine to connect to the Starshield network. Prior to this, 500 terminals were already integrated into the system. In total, 3,000 terminals will now be serviced under these agreements, according to the US Space Force’s Commercial Satellite Communications Office.

The contracts ensure that these terminals will have access to high-security internet services through 2025. However, the Pentagon has not disclosed the financial details of the new agreement. The previous deal, which involved 500 terminals for US European Command, was valued at approximately 40 million dollars.

Starshield, a more secure version of Starlink, is equipped with enhanced encryption and several advanced security features. These include capabilities for target tracking, optical and radio reconnaissance, and missile early warning systems. Starshield is owned by the US government, and its services are available only to government and military entities granted access.

This satellite network is part of the US Department of Defense’s broader efforts to ensure secure communication capabilities for military operations. By 2029, the US plans to deploy over 100 satellites for its future satellite communications architecture.