Published • loading... • Updated
UK deepens reliance on Musk's SpaceX, spending nearly $40 million on satellite services
Britain said Starshield now carries operational military traffic as it expands use of SpaceX services for secure communications.
- Britain has spent nearly $40 million on SpaceX satellite services, becoming the first country outside the U.S. to publicly acknowledge using Starshield, SpaceX's specialized network for military and intelligence missions.
- The defence ministry began using Starlink in mid-2022 but shifted operational military communications traffic to Starshield, which offers enhanced encryption and military-specific terms of service compared to civilian-focused alternatives.
- Britain reported spending about £13 million on Starshield and £16.5 million on Starlink, with current inventory showing 1,000 Starshield terminals and 500 Starlink terminals in operation.
- The investment deepens reliance on Elon Musk's company for military communications, despite growing European concerns about dependence on U.S. security infrastructure and uncertainty about Washington's long-term commitment to the continent.
- While Britain maintains its own military satellite network, Skynet, and holds shares in France-based Eutelsat, the move occurs amid political friction following Musk's repeated public criticism of the government during Keir Starmer's premiership.
Insights by Ground AI
14 Articles
14 Articles
UK deepens reliance on Musk's SpaceX, spending nearly $40 million on satellite services
Britain has spent nearly $40 million on SpaceX satellite services, deepening its reliance on Elon Musk's company for military communications despite growing European concerns about dependence on U.S. security infrastructure.
·London, United Kingdom
Read Full Article
SpaceX (SPCX) Stock: Britain Spends $40M on Starshield as Institutional Investors Add Positions
TLDR Britain spent nearly $40 million on SpaceX satellite services, becoming the first country outside the US to publicly confirm use of Starshield The UK defence ministry operates around 1,000 Starshield terminals and 500 Starlink terminals SpaceX reported Q2 revenue of $7.81 billion, up 92% year...
According to ChainCatcher, the UK Ministry of Defence has spent nearly $40 million on SpaceX’s Starshield and Starlink satellite services.
Coverage Details
Total News Sources14
Leaning Left0Leaning Right3Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution63% Center
Bias Distribution
- 63% of the sources are Center
63% Center
C 63%
R 37%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
