Eutelsat Negotiates with EU to Expand Satellite Connectivity in Ukraine on March 4th

On March 4th, Eutelsat, the French satellite operator and owner of OneWeb, initiated negotiations with European governments to broaden satellite connectivity in Ukraine. This move comes amid concerns about potential disruptions to Ukraine's access to Starlink, particularly following the US halting military aid on March 3rd. Eutelsat's proposal involves integrating OneWeb's low Earth orbit satellites with its geostationary satellites to provide essential connectivity for the Ukrainian military, including drone operations. While OneWeb already offers services in Ukraine through a German distributor, expanding its role requires European governments to approve acquisition and integration plans. The European Commission has also proposed a €150 billion loan package to aid EU member states in defense acquisitions, potentially facilitating immediate military assistance to Kyiv and exploring alternatives to Starlink. Eutelsat emphasizes that the extent of its contribution depends on Ukraine's military needs, security protocols, and existing communication systems.