The UK has begun using the Starshield satellite network for military operations
The United Kingdom has become one of the first countries outside the United States to begin using SpaceX’s Starshield satellite network for military purposes.
Starshield is a specialized government version of the Starlink satellite system, designed for military and intelligence operations. It is equipped with additional security and protection features compared to the standard commercial network.
According to the agency, the UK Ministry of Defense began transferring some of its operational military traffic to the Starshield platform in early 2026.
At the same time, the UK Ministry of Defense declined to comment directly on the use of Starshield. It merely noted that the Starlink system continues to be used by military personnel for non-operational needs, particularly for communicating with families while serving abroad.
Reuters also notes that it previously reported on a fivefold increase in the cost of Starlink services for the Pentagon, which were used during drone operations.
SpaceX owner Elon Musk stated at the time that Starshield, rather than Starlink, is more suitable for such tasks.
Source: Reuters.
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