The US will provide Ukraine with satellite antennas that operate outside the Starlink system to improve communications on the front lines
The United States is providing Ukraine with a new $275 million defense aid package, Pentagon deputy spokeswoman Sabrina Singh announced at a press briefing on Friday.
Singh announced that the new aid package includes additional HIMARS missiles, 2,000 anti-tank and 500 155 mm precision artillery shells, 1,300 anti-tank systems, 125 Humvees, small arms, ammunition and satellite communications antennas.
The package was provided as part of the President’s powers. This allows the Pentagon to quickly send weapons to Ukraine from its own stockpiles.
For the first time, the Pentagon is providing Ukraine with four satellite communication antennas operating outside the Starlink system, the official confirmed. She, however, denied linking the supplies to US billionaire Elon Musk’s claims about the company’s losses in support of Starlink for Ukraine, and indicated that the antennas would be provided from Pentagon stockpiles.
“For the first time, we are sending four satellite communication antennas,” Singh said. She explained that these antennas can interact with any system, not just Starlink. They help improve communication capabilities on the battlefield.”
The need to provide such antennas is caused by the need to maintain communication on the battlefield in the conditions of the destruction of energy facilities in Ukraine, the official added.
“We see Russian attacks on Ukraine’s power grids and infrastructure, and these antennas provide additional capabilities on the ground at a critical time when Ukrainian infrastructure is being attacked. They are not intended to replace services like Starlink, they help improve communications on battlefield,” she added.
Earlier this month, Musk complained on social media that his company SpaceX was losing about $20 million a month “due to the provision of free services and enhanced security measures to protect cyberspace,” particularly in Ukraine. But he indicated that the company will continue to do so.
Singh also said that the training of the Ukrainian military to operate the NASAM systems will be completed soon, which will make it possible for the transfer of these systems to Ukraine next month.
The US has provided almost $18 billion worth of arms and other equipment to Ukraine since the start of the war on February 24.
