Japan Self-Defense Forces Enhance Communication Using US Elon Musk's Starlink...

Measures Against Radio Interference from China and Russia
Expect Strengthened Coordination with the United States

It has been revealed that the Japan Self-Defense Forces have been using the satellite communication services of SpaceX, the American space company founded by Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, since March. This is interpreted as a measure to prepare for the strengthening of satellite attack capabilities by China and Russia.

On the 25th, Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun reported, citing government officials, that the Japan Self-Defense Forces are using SpaceX's Starlink service. According to these officials, Japan's Ministry of Defense signed a contract with Starlink in March and imported communication equipment such as antennas. Since then, it has been utilized and its operation verified at about 10 locations including the ground, maritime, and air Self-Defense Force bases and garrisons.

Starlink provides communication services by linking numerous small satellites in low Earth orbit at an altitude of about 550 km. The Ministry of Defense currently operates two independent X-band communication satellites in geostationary orbit, but this is the first time it has used low Earth orbit civilian satellite communication services. The Ministry plans to sign contracts with other companies besides Starlink to verify communication performance and begin full-scale operation from next year.

Yomiuri interpreted this move as a measure to counter China and Russia. Since they are strengthening their satellite attack capabilities, the Ministry of Defense is utilizing civilian satellites to enhance communication functions. In fact, China and Russia are known to operate devices on the ground that interfere with other countries' satellite signals.

It is also expected that the use of Starlink will further strengthen ties with the United States. Earlier, the U.S. government evaluated that Starlink played a significant role in providing necessary communication services to the Ukrainian military and civilians after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Ministry of Defense announced last year that it would participate in the U.S.-led framework for multilateral use of defense satellite communications and is currently in discussions.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.