Britain pays Starlink millions despite Musk's calls to overthrow UK government

"Britain's Ministry of Defence (MoD) has clocked up a £16.6 million ($22.6 million) bill with Starlink over the past four years, despite SpaceX CEO Elon Musk expressing a desire to overthrow the UK government. Data released by the MoD shows that Britain has continued to pay for access to the spaceborne data network, primarily to help support the Ukrainian military in its ongoing battle against the Russian invasion."

"Not all of the expenditure is accounted for by Ukraine, however. Some goes toward providing British military personnel serving overseas with a vital link home. According to Business Matters, upward of 50,000 Starlink terminals have been sent to Ukraine since the start of the war in 2022. Initially, the cost of helping that nation's frontline communications was borne by Starlink itself, with some grumbling from Musk, who controls the company's parent business, SpaceX."

"However, a year later the satellite operator clinched an official US government contract covering the Starlink service for Ukraine, which we understand is still funded by the Department of Defense (DoD), although President Trump has not sought congressional approval for any new funding for US military assistance to Ukraine since returning to office. The UK appears to be footing part of the Starlink bill. The MoD acknowledged the figure, with some spending understood to cover terminals gifted to Ukraine, including their purchase and airtime."

""Starlink technology is not used for military operations and is primarily used by our hardworking personnel to stay connected with their loved ones when they're in areas without regular internet access, for example on a warship," a spokesperson told The Register. "As the public would rightly e"

Britain’s Ministry of Defence has spent £16.6 million on Starlink over four years. The payments provide access to a satellite data network used primarily to support the Ukrainian military during the Russian invasion. Some spending also supports British military personnel serving overseas by providing a communications link home. More than 50,000 Starlink terminals have been sent to Ukraine since the start of the war in 2022. Starlink initially covered some costs, then later obtained a US government contract for service to Ukraine. The UK’s spending includes terminals gifted to Ukraine, covering purchase and airtime. The MoD states Starlink technology is not used for military operations by British forces and is used mainly for connectivity where regular internet access is unavailable.

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