Starlink and the militarisation of commercial satellite.

The article focuses on the increasing militarization of commercial low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communications, with SpaceX's Starlink playing a central role. Since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Starlink has become critical for Ukrainian military command, control, and intelligence sharing, while also being used by various global militaries, non-state actors, and criminal networks. The reliance on Starlink has prompted efforts to develop sovereign alternatives and countermeasures, including electronic warfare and anti-satellite weapons, amid concerns over geopolitical leverage and space congestion. Several countries, including China, the United States, Europe, South Korea, Canada, and Russia, are advancing their own LEO satellite constellations to secure communications for defense and civilian use. This evolving landscape highlights the blurring of commercial and military satellite functions and the growing strategic importance of space-based connectivity.