The Pentagon will purchase Starlink satellite communication terminals and services from Elon Muskʼs SpaceX.
Bloomberg writes about it.
The terminals are likely to be purchased within the framework of the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI). In December, the US Department of Defense announced that it would provide Ukraine with "terminals and services" for satellite communication but did not confirm that it would conclude a contract with Muskʼs company.
The Pentagon does not disclose the cost of the contract and the number of Starlink terminals that Ukraine will receive.
"...due to the critical nature of these systems, we do not have additional information regarding specific capabilities, contracts, or partners to provide at this time," the US Department of Defense said in a statement.
- On December 29, 2022, President Volodymyr Zelenskyi signed laws on promoting the restoration of Ukraineʼs energy infrastructure. They cancel duties and VAT on the import of generators and Starlink.
- In February, SpaceX limited Ukraineʼs use of Starlink satellite internet to control drones in the war zone. SpaceX president and chief operating officer Gwynn Shotwell said at the time that Starlink, which provided the Ukrainian military with broadband to defend against the Russians, "was never intended to be used as a weapon."