Pentagon to buy Elon Musk’s Starlink terminals for Ukraine
- SpaceX’s satellite services have provided crucial communications for Ukraine’s military and kept civilians connected during Russia’s invasion
- Musk has criticised the use of Starlink terminals for combat, but has decided not to turn them off, saying the company is ‘trying hard to do the right thing’
The Pentagon is buying Starlink satellite communications terminals and services from billionaire Elon Musk’s SpaceX for use by the Ukraine military, the Defence Department said.
The terminals are likely to be bought under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which provides for the embattled nation’s long-term security needs.
In December, the Defence Department disclosed in announcing such a funding package that it would provide satellite communications “terminals and services” to Ukraine, but did not confirm that Musk’s company would get the contract.
“We continue to work with a range of global partners to ensure Ukraine has the resilient satellite and communication capabilities they need,” the Pentagon said in a statement on Thursday. “Satellite communications constitute a vital layer in Ukraine’s overall communications network and the department contracts with Starlink for services of this type.”
“However, for operational security reasons and due to the critical nature of these systems, we do not have additional information regarding specific capabilities, contracts, or partners to provide at this time,” it said.