The Pentagon is contemplating paying for Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite tv for pc community in war-torn Ukraine, Politico reported on Monday, citing two US officers concerned within the discussions.
The most definitely supply of funding could be the US Division of Protection’s Ukraine safety help initiative, designed to help the nation because it fights Russia, the report added.
Musk had stated on Friday that SpaceX couldn’t indefinitely fund Starlink in Ukraine, however backtracked over the weekend to claim the rocket firm would proceed to fund the service within the nation.
He stated in a tweet on Monday that SpaceX had already withdrawn its request for funding, an acknowledgment that such a request was made.
A Pentagon spokesman stated the protection division wouldn’t speculate on future safety help bulletins earlier than they happen.
A separate report within the Monetary Instances stated the European Union was additionally weighing funding Starlink in Ukraine, citing three officers with information of the choice.
Musk, the world’s richest individual and chief govt of Tesla Inc, just lately stated SpaceX spends practically $20ma month sustaining satellite tv for pc companies in Ukraine and that the corporate has spent about $80m to allow and help Starlink there.
“To be exact, 25,300 terminals had been despatched to Ukraine, however, at current, solely 10,630 are paying for service,” Musk tweeted on Monday.
Starlink has helped Ukraine’s civilians and army keep on-line through the struggle, with Ukraine’s vice prime minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, final week saying Starlink’s companies helped restore power and communications infrastructure in important areas.