European Eutelsat network will not be able to fully replace Starlink for the Ukrainian army
The European satellite network Eutelsat is not able to completely replace the US Starlink system used by the Ukrainian army for combat and communications purposes. This was reported by Politico, citing a statement by Eutelsat CEO Eva Berneke.
Here's What We Know
The European Union is actively looking for an alternative to Starlink in case the United States restricts or stops providing access to the network in Ukraine. Eutelsat is currently being considered as the main candidate, but, according to Berneke, her company's current capabilities do not allow it to provide the same level of coverage and capacity as SpaceX.
Even if all available European capacities are used, it will not be possible to provide a full-fledged replacement for Starlink, as only a part of critical users will be able to be connected.
Unlike Starlink, which has already deployed about 7,000 satellites in low Earth orbit, Eutelsat has only about 600 satellites. In 2023, more than 42,000 Starlink terminals were operating in Ukraine, while Eutelsat can serve only a few thousand consumers, and then only at the level of critical needs.
Starlink also has a technological advantage: small terminals can be easily transported and deployed quickly, even in combat conditions, which other providers cannot yet provide.
Despite the limitations, Eutelsat is negotiating with the EU to provide Ukraine with more terminals and support in launching new satellites. At the same time, the EU is working on creating its own satellite network, IRIS², which is intended to become a full-fledged alternative to Starlink. However, its launch is only scheduled for the early 2030s.
Source: Politico
