EU poised to deploy Govsatcom to replace Starlink in ukraine
The European Union is preparing to replace Starlink in Ukraine by offering the Govsatcom and IRIS² systems.
The European Union is intensifying efforts to replace the Starlink system in Ukraine if necessary. According to Defense Express, the launch of a temporary satellite system, Govsatcom, is planned for this year. This system is based on existing European military and commercial satellites.
Reuters reports that after a tense meeting between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky, American negotiators made it clear to Ukraine that they would block access to the Starlink network, which Elon Musk's SpaceX owns. Musk himself, who is also head of the American Government Efficiency Department, denies the reports and accuses the news agency of slander.
Govsatcom will be a temporary solution while IRIS² is intended to be the long-term alternative
Although Govsatcom does not envisage the launch of new satellites, it is expected to provide basic connectivity. However, existing satellites may not match Starlink's speed and power, which could limit their effectiveness. Despite this, Govsatcom could be a useful temporary solution.
The IRIS² system is ultimately expected to become a full-fledged successor to Starlink. Plans are in place to create a new constellation of satellites with greater power, but the implementation of this project is anticipated for 2030.
Other alternatives to Starlink
Besides Govsatcom and IRIS², other systems could replace Starlink, such as Eutelsat, Hispasat, SES, or OneWeb. The Armed Forces of Ukraine are preparing for a potential disconnection from Starlink, and many experts are convinced that Elon Musk will likely do this.
