In modern wars, staying online is as important as having fuel or ammunition. Reliable internet can mean the difference between a successful operation and total confusion.
During the war in Ukraine, the Starlink satellite network has played a key role in keeping Ukrainian forces connected.
But Starlink is owned by Elon Musk, and lately, that has raised some concerns.
Germany has now stepped in to offer an alternative. It is helping Ukraine connect to the internet using European technology, reports Ziare.
Berlin is backing the French company Eutelsat, whose satellite terminals are already up and running in Ukraine.
Fewer than 1,000 terminals are active so far. But Germany wants to grow that number fast. The goal is to reach 5,000 or even 10,000 units.
This shift is not just about helping Ukraine. It’s part of a larger move in Europe to gain more digital independence.
Many European officials are worried about relying too much on Starlink. Musk's unpredictable decisions and his ties to former U.S. President Donald Trump have only added to the unease.
European leaders want more control over critical services like internet access during a crisis.
Eutelsat’s OneWeb network is the main alternative. It uses a mix of satellite types, including low-Earth orbit (LEO) and geostationary satellites.
This makes the system flexible. It can support both military and civilian users. It’s also seen as more affordable and easier to manage.
At the same time, the European Union is speeding up its own internal projects. These include GOVSATCOM and IRIS².
GOVSATCOM is set to launch this summer and will provide secure communication for government use. IRIS² is a larger project and should be ready by the end of the decade.
Europe wants to reduce its dependence on private companies from outside the region. The war in Ukraine has shown how important this is.
With support from Germany and the rise of companies like Eutelsat, Ukraine may soon no longer need to rely on Musk’s satellites to stay connected.
