The European Commission's draft white paper on the future of European defence proposes that the European Union should fund access to space services upon request from the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

This initiative has been prompted by growing concerns over the vulnerability of Starlink services, owned by Elon Musk, which are crucial for the Ukrainian military's communication and operational capabilities on the frontline.

EU governments and institutions are currently in discussions with four European satellite connectivity companies to explore viable alternatives to Starlink, primarily due to the possibility of service disruptions.

The draft highlights that the EU should prioritize funding for services that can be provided by commercially operated, EU-based providers.

Among these, French company Eutelsat stands out as the only European provider with a low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation offering connectivity comparable to Starlink.

Eutelsat’s system enables communication signals to be received on small, easily concealable devices, while maintaining low latency—a pivotal requirement for military applications.

In early March, Eutelsat's CEO expressed confidence that the company could supplant Starlink's services in Ukraine within a matter of months.

However, Eutelsat has reported challenges in scaling production due to manufacturing bottlenecks.

Currently, Starlink operates approximately 40,000 terminals in Ukraine, a significant number of which are utilized for military operations.

In contrast, Eutelsat has deployed around 2,000 terminals and has 4,000 more on standby, along with an order for an additional 10,000 units to enhance its capabilities.

It is important to note that not all Starlink terminals are dedicated to military use, as many provide internet access to civilians impacted by ongoing Russian assaults on telecommunications infrastructures.

Alternative suppliers using geostationary orbit (GEO) satellite constellations could potentially replace some of the civilian connectivity services provided by Starlink.

Though GEO satellites typically need larger antennas and experience higher latency compared to LEO systems, they can function effectively for civilian communications.

Spanish company Hispasat and Luxembourg-based SES are both active operators in the GEO satellite market and can offer these services.

Additionally, the draft indicates that Ukraine should be partially associated with the EU space programme.

The proposal also calls for cooperation between the EU and Ukraine to safeguard space assets against potential cyberattacks, a matter of urgency highlighted by a pre-emptive cyberattack on American Viasat satellites just before the onset of the Russian invasion.

The developments surrounding satellite connectivity for Ukraine reflect broader concerns about the sustainability and security of military and civilian communications in times of conflict.