EU governments are in discussions with four European satellite companies to establish an alternative to Starlink in Ukraine, as the region seeks to enhance technological sovereignty amid growing transatlantic tensions.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, Starlink has played a crucial role in Ukraine’s military communications, enabling real-time coordination of drone strikes, target identification, and battlefield data sharing.
However, European leaders are increasingly wary of dependence on Starlink, particularly after a Reuters report suggested U.S. officials had threatened to cut Ukraine’s access unless it complied with demands regarding its mineral resources. While Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX (Starlink’s parent company), denied the claims, concerns persist over the security risks of relying on a single, privately owned network with ties to the Trump administration.
In response, the EU is actively exploring European alternatives. Leading the discussions is French-British satellite provider Eutelsat. CEO Eva Berneke recently confirmed to Bloomberg that talks are underway to expand its internet services to Ukraine. She also noted that Eutelsat is in “very positive talks” with Italy, where officials are debating whether to use Starlink for encrypted government communications.
Additionally, three other companies—UK-based Inmarsat, Luxembourg’s SES, and Spain’s Hisdesat—have informed the Financial Times that they are in discussions with European governments and institutions regarding backup connectivity solutions for Ukraine. Hisdesat CEO Miguel Ángel García Primo stated that multiple European officials have reached out to his company.
Despite these efforts, replacing Starlink poses a challenge. With over 7,000 satellites in low-Earth orbit and 40,000 terminals in Ukraine alone, it remains the largest satellite communications provider.
Nevertheless, Berneke remains optimistic about Eutelsat’s capabilities, asserting that the company could match Starlink’s terminal count in Ukraine “probably in a couple of months.” Eutelsat currently operates 2,000 terminals in the country.
It remains unclear whether the backup service will involve multiple operators or a single provider. Regardless, these four companies represent Europe’s best opportunity to reduce reliance on Starlink and establish greater control over its satellite communications.
In the long term, Europe is pinning its hopes on IRIS², a multi-orbit satellite internet constellation set to launch in 2030. Additionally, reports suggest that Airbus, Leonardo, and Thales Alenia Space are collaborating on “Project Bromo,” a potential challenger to Starlink’s global dominance.