SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, and the Pentagon have signed a new agreement granting Ukraine access to Starshield, a more secure and militarized version of the Starlink satellite network, Bloomberg reports.
This agreement ensures that 2,500 Starlink terminals already deployed in Ukraine will gain access to Starshield, a service that is significantly harder to hack or jam. Previously, only 500 terminals in Ukraine had access to this advanced network.
Read more: Ukrainian Navy Reveals New Unmanned Boats That Launch FPV Drone Strikes
According to anonymous sources cited by Bloomberg, "A total of 3,000 terminals are provided service via the two contracts, both aimed at facilitating internet connectivity in Ukraine." The contracts, which extend service through 2025, share the same purpose of enhancing Ukraine’s secure communication capabilities.
The deal was reportedly finalized in August, before Donald Trump’s win in the U.S. presidential election and amid President Joe Biden’s increased military assistance initiatives for Ukraine. This effort by Biden was likely intended to strengthen Ukraine’s position in anticipation of potential diplomatic pressure under a Trump administration.
While the value of this latest agreement remains undisclosed, earlier contracts, such as one with the U.S. European Command for 500 terminals, were valued at approximately $40 million.
According to Bloomberg, the new contract was awarded under the Space Force’s "Proliferated Low Earth Orbit" program, which is tapping into communications services of satellites orbiting from 100 miles to 1,200 miles (160 kilometers to 1,900 kilometers) above Earth.
Read more: Ukraine Receives Second Batch of the F-16 Aircraft from Denmark
