Why China’s Military is Developing Means of Taking Out Pentagon’s Starlink Internet Satellite Network

The Associated Press has reported that China’s defence sector is developing means of countering the American Starling satellite program, which is considered to pose a significant threat to Chinese security. Among the means reportedly proposed are the use of submarines equipped with laser weapons, the use of attack satellites with ion engines, and the use of optical telescopes to track Starlink satellites in orbit. Starlink became operational in October 2020 with the start of its “Better Than Nothing” beta program, and was developed by the aerospace firm SpaceX in close cooperation with the Pentagon and various American intelligence agencies. Its military significance has been highlighted in the Russian-Ukrainain War, where it has been used to provide key support to the Ukrainain war effort from early 2022 as a central part of the much broader backing the Western world has provided Kiev.

Even before the outbreak of full scale hostilities in Ukraine, the Starlink program was long highlighted by Russian officials as a security threat due to its very close ties to and significant subsidies from the U.S. government. It was seen as a medium to spread anti Russian and pro-Western political narratives as well as potentially in future serving as a means for cruise missile guidance. Shortly after hostilities began, it was announced more satellites had been dispatched to increase Ukraine’s connectivity. Ukrainian officials also highlighted the possibility that the system could be used to spread anti-government narratives within Russia to stoke unrest. Beyond playing a vital role in shaping the information space in both countries in line with Western interests, Starlink has also provided key intelligence to support Ukraine’s offensive operations including drone strikes on targets far behind Russian lines.

In mid-June, U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy for special assignments, Richard Grenell, requested that Starlink access be established over Iran, with significant calls being raised to use the system to stoke unrest in Iran and bolster anti-government insurgents there. This coincided coinciding with Israeli and American air and missile strikes on the country that targeted the military and political leadership, as well as key military and infrastructure sites. Starlink was activated over the country just a few hours after Israeli attacks began, with the Iranian government responding after the war by banning its use in the country. China notably lacks its own alternative to Starlink, reflecting its broader inability to compete with the United States in shaping the global information space or projecting power abroad. As the network continues to further expand, its ability to play a key role in shaping major conflicts is set to continue to grow unless properly countered.