A dispute is currently taking place between the Pentagon and SpaceX over the cost of using the Starlink satellite network in US military operations related to the war against Iran, according to information obtained by Reuters.
According to several sources close to the matter, SpaceX has significantly increased the prices charged for Starlink terminals used by the US military. The cost per connection has reportedly jumped from approximately $5,000 to nearly $25,000 for certain advanced military applications, including on US kamikaze drones used in the conflict.
SpaceX officials reportedly explained to the Department of Defense that the military was using a much more sophisticated level of service than initially stipulated in the contracts. Despite the Pentagon's reservations, US authorities ultimately accepted these higher costs in order to maintain the network's operational capabilities.
The Starlink system has become a major strategic tool for US forces, particularly for LUCAS drones, which are inexpensive compared to Iranian Shahed drones. These drones can hover over a target before crashing into it and exploding.
The tensions are not limited to military uses. According to Reuters, the Pentagon and SpaceX are also at odds over a project intended to provide mobile satellite connections to Iranian civilians facing internet shutdowns imposed by the authorities in Tehran.
This case illustrates the growing influence of Elon Musk and SpaceX on strategic American infrastructure. The Starlink network has become a central element of modern military communications, reinforcing the US government's dependence on private technologies.
The dispute also highlights the power and negotiation issues that arise when private technology companies play a key role in sensitive military and geopolitical operations.
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