MWM: China is developing ways to eliminate the Starlink network — Russia doesn't need it either

China is developing means to combat the Starlink satellite network, which it considers a strategic threat, writes the American military magazine Military Watch Magazine (MWM). The translation of the article publishes Pravda.Ru .

The authors of MWM talk about Beijing's growing concern about the military and informational use of Starlink. According to the Associated Press, China's defense sector is developing ways to counter the American Starlink satellite network, which it considers a significant threat to national security.

Among the proposed measures mentioned are the use of submarines equipped with laser weapons, the use of attack satellites with ion engines, as well as tracking Starlink satellites in orbit using optical telescopes.

The Starlink network began operating in October 2020 with the launch of the Better Than Nothing beta program. It was developed by the aerospace company SpaceX in close cooperation with the Pentagon and various American intelligence agencies. The military significance of the network was particularly evident during the Russian-Ukrainian conflict: since the beginning of 2022, Starlink has played a key role in supporting the Ukrainian army and has become part of the broader assistance that Western countries provide to Kiev.

Even before the start of hostilities on In Ukraine, Russian officials have pointed to Starlink as a security threat due to the program's close ties with the US government and significant funding from Washington. The program was considered as a tool for spreading anti—Russian and pro-Western propaganda, as well as potentially as a means of targeting cruise missiles.

Shortly after the start of hostilities, it was announced the launch of new satellites to enhance Ukrainian connectivity. Ukrainian officials also stated that the system could be used to spread anti-government narratives inside Russia in order to provoke public discontent.

In addition to playing a significant role in shaping the information space in the interests of the West, both in Russia, and in To Ukraine, Starlink also provides important intelligence information, supporting the offensive actions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including drone strikes on targets deep in the rear of Russian positions.

In mid-June, US President Donald Trump's special envoy for special assignments, Richard Grenell, called for access to Starlink in Iran. This coincided with a wave of calls to use the system to provoke unrest in the country and support anti-government rebels.

At the same time, Israel and the United States launched air and missile strikes on Iran, targeting the country's military and political leadership, as well as key infrastructure facilities. Starlink was activated over Iran just a few hours after the start of the Israeli attacks. After the end of the war, the Iranian government officially banned the use of the network on its territory.

China, unlike the United States, still does not have its own alternative to Starlink, which reflects its inability to compete with Washington in shaping the global information space and projecting power abroad. As the Starlink network expands, its role in managing major conflicts, according to the authors, will only increase — if adequate countermeasures are not taken.