Elon Musk's militarised satellite network Starshield enters Britain: Here’s why the UK is shifting military traffic from Starlink

Elon Musk's militarised satellite network Starshield has begun operating within Britain's defence infrastructure, making the UK one of the first nations outside the United States to adopt the government-focused satellite service developed by SpaceX. According to two people familiar with the matter, Britain's Ministry of Defence started moving operational military communications to Starshield around the beginning of this year. The development marks a significant step in the use of SpaceX's specialised satellite offerings beyond the United States.


Starshield was created specifically for the US government and is intended for military and intelligence-related missions. The network includes enhanced security features designed to meet government requirements. The service differs from Starlink, SpaceX's widely used low-Earth-orbit broadband network, which is primarily aimed at consumer and commercial customers. While Starlink has become one of SpaceX's most important revenue-generating products, Starshield is focused on government and defence applications.

The UK's adoption of Starshield reflects the growing demand among military organisations for secure satellite-based communications systems capable of supporting operational activities.

People familiar with the matter said the British defence ministry began transitioning operational military traffic to Starshield earlier this year. The service is understood to be more expensive than Starlink, although one source said the difference in cost is only slight. The Ministry of Defence did not directly address questions regarding Starshield in a statement provided to Reuters. However, the ministry confirmed that personnel continue using Starlink for non-operational purposes, including maintaining contact with family members while deployed. The ministry also stated that Starlink "is not used for military operations" and noted that the armed forces work with a variety of suppliers.


One individual familiar with the arrangement said the ministry accesses the service through third-party distributors rather than entering into a direct contract with SpaceX. Another source, described as an industry specialist with close links to the ministry, said it had been informed that operational traffic should be moved to Starshield, although the source did not specify who issued that direction.

Elon Musk has increasingly sought to distinguish Starshield from Starlink. SpaceX has repeatedly stated that Starlink should not be used for weapons systems. The distinction gained attention last month when Reuters reported that SpaceX had increased by five times the amount charged to the Pentagon for Starlink services being used to guide kamikaze drones in operations against Iran. Musk said the higher pricing reflected the use of Starlink and argued that Starshield should have been used instead. SpaceX is also preparing to go public on June 12 at a valuation exceeding $1.5 trillion.


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Military organisations around the world have increasingly adopted Starlink since Ukraine made extensive use of the network following Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. The service has been used for communications and drone-control functions. In 2023, SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell said the company had restricted Ukraine's military use of Starlink for offensive operations. SpaceX has also attempted to prevent what it described as unauthorised use of Starlink by Russian troops operating in Ukraine. Ukraine's defence ministry did not respond to requests for comment regarding whether it currently uses Starshield.

The British military first began using Starlink in July 2022. According to a May 2025 UK government response to a Reuters freedom of information request, the armed forces had around 1,000 Starlink terminals as of spring last year.


Military personnel have told Reuters that several defence ministries also use Starlink, although mainly for non-weapons-related functions such as internet access and video communications in remote locations. Poland, which has been a major contributor to Ukraine's Starlink access, has used Starlink alongside both military and commercial satellite communications systems. The Polish defence ministry confirmed this to Reuters last year but declined to provide additional details.

The Dutch defence ministry also responded to Reuters this week, saying it operates a limited number of Starlink terminals. According to the ministry, most of its satellite communication requirements are met through other systems. It declined to specify whether the terminals are used in operational settings.

Despite Britain's move to Starshield, several details remain unknown. The extent of the military's use of the network has not been disclosed, and the total amount being paid for the service remains unclear. Even so, the UK's transition places it among the earliest countries outside the United States to adopt SpaceX's government-focused satellite network, highlighting the growing role of specialised satellite communications in modern defence operations.


Britain's adoption of Starshield signals expanding military demand for secure satellite communications, though details on usage remain limited.