French Eutelsat in talks for satellite connectivity to Ukraine amid Musk’s Starlink uncertainty

Photo credit: Eutelsat Group

Eutelsat, the French satellite operator and owner of OneWeb, has entered discussions with European governments about providing additional satellite connectivity in Ukraine. The move comes as investors speculate that Eutelsat could replace Elon Musk’s Starlink, which has been integral to Ukraine’s military operations but is now facing potential limitations after the US suspended military aid to Kyiv, Financial Times reported.

Eutelsat stated that it is "actively collaborating with European institutions and business partners" and has the necessary equipment to be "deployed swiftly in Ukraine to connect the most critical missions and infrastructures." The announcement fueled a surge in Eutelsat’s stock, which jumped as much as 123% before closing up 77% at €4.50, according to Financial Times.

US policy shift raises concerns

Ukraine has relied heavily on Starlink for battlefield communications, but US officials have recently raised the possibility of restricting Ukraine’s access to the system. Musk, who owns Starlink and serves as an adviser to US President Donald Trump, dismissed the reports as false. Nonetheless, concerns remain over the potential disruption to Ukraine’s military communications, prompting European leaders to explore alternative solutions, Financial Times reported.

Eutelsat’s capabilities and challenges

Eutelsat’s plan involves leveraging a combination of OneWeb’s low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, positioned at around 1,200 km above Earth, and its geostationary (GEO) satellites at 35,000 km. These systems could support Ukrainian drone operations, which have been crucial in countering Russian forces. However, OneWeb’s satellite network is significantly smaller than Starlink’s, with only 700 satellites compared to Starlink’s 7,000. Additionally, OneWeb terminals are designed for business and government use, making them bulkier and less portable than Starlink’s devices, according to Financial Times.

European defence investment and future plans

In response to the changing security landscape, the European Commission has proposed a €150 billion loan package for defence procurement, including "immediate military equipment for Ukraine." The EU is also examining alternative satellite networks, such as GovSatCom, which aims to consolidate European satellite capabilities for secure government communications. While GovSatCom is not expected to be operational until next year, officials are considering accelerating its deployment, Financial Times reported.

Eutelsat’s potential role in Ukraine underscores its growing importance in European defence. However, the extent of its contribution will depend on procurement decisions by EU member states and the integration of its satellites with Ukraine’s existing military communication systems.

Strategic implications

As European leaders seek to reduce dependence on Starlink, the ongoing negotiations highlight the geopolitical significance of satellite connectivity in modern warfare. Whether Eutelsat can fully replace Starlink remains uncertain, but the discussions mark a crucial step in Europe’s efforts to strengthen Ukraine’s resilience and reduce reliance on US-controlled systems, Financial Times reported.