CAN EUTELSAT STEP UP IF STARLINK STEPS BACK?
What if Europe had a powerful, homegrown satellite solution ready to strengthen Ukraine’s defence at a critical moment?
What if the answer was already here, quietly prepared to step in when needed?
Eutelsat, the company behind OneWeb, is now deep in talks with European governments about providing additional satellite connectivity in Ukraine.
With growing uncertainty over the continued availability of Starlink, Eutelsat’s expertise and technology are attracting serious attention.
Investors are clearly excited - Eutelsat’s stock surged by an astonishing 123% in a single day before settling up 77%.
Why? Because Ukraine depends on reliable, high-performance satellite connectivity, especially for its military operations.
Drones, battlefield coordination, critical infrastructure - all of it relies on secure, stable communication.
Up until now, Starlink has been the backbone of Ukraine’s connectivity. But with the U.S. suspending military aid and questions being raised about Starlink’s long-term availability, European leaders are looking for a strong, independent alternative.
And that’s where Eutelsat comes in.
A New Vision for European Connectivity
Eutelsat isn’t just proposing a solution - it’s ready to act fast. The company has confirmed that its technology can be swiftly deployed in Ukraine to support essential missions.
Unlike Starlink, which operates independently, Eutelsat is actively working with European governments and institutions to build a long-term, secure alternative.
The plan? A smart combination of two satellite systems:
This hybrid approach could provide game-changing connectivity for Ukraine - especially in the Black Sea region, where connectivity is critical for drone operations that have already inflicted major damage on Russian forces.
Europe Steps Up Its Defence Strategy
This isn’t happening in isolation. The European Union is already mobilising significant resources to strengthen its defence strategy.
Just this week, the EU proposed a €150 billion defence package, a clear signal that Europe is ready to invest in its own security infrastructure.
And the European Commission?
They’re actively exploring alternatives to Starlink, including GovSatCom, a highly secure satellite network built specifically for government and military use.
While GovSatCom won’t be fully operational until next year, discussions are underway to accelerate its launch.
Could Eutelsat Be the Future?
Of course, Starlink has advantages.
With over 7,000 satellites in orbit, it’s currently the dominant force in satellite communications. OneWeb, in comparison, has fewer than 700.
And while Starlink’s terminals are designed to be small, portable, and easy to deploy, OneWeb’s are larger, built for businesses and governments rather than residential users.
But here’s the bigger picture: this is about Europe’s independence.
It’s about securing critical infrastructure without relying on a single U.S. company.
It’s about creating a resilient, European-led alternative that can operate at the highest level - not just for Ukraine, but for European defence as a whole.
What Happens Next?
At this moment, European leaders are weighing their options. Procurement decisions, security strategies, and integration plans will determine how quickly Eutelsat can move forward. But one thing is clear:
And Eutelsat? It might just be the right solution, at exactly the right time.