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As geopolitical tensions and digital warfare escalate, Europe is recalibrating its space communication strategy. A serious contender is emerging: SES, a Luxembourg-based satellite operator with NATO ties and growing influence. The European Union is currently considering funding SES to supplement Elon Musk’s Starlink—an acknowledgment that while Starlink’s technological edge is undeniable, strategic independence cannot be outsourced.
With more than 70 satellites in orbit—including over 20 operating in medium Earth orbit (MEO)—SES stands as a viable partner to fortify European military and civilian connectivity. Notably, its MEO fleet at 8,000 km already supports NATO and Pentagon operations. The European Commission is now deep in talks with SES and France’s Eutelsat, especially since concerns around Elon Musk’s role as a private guardian of Ukraine’s battlefield connectivity have surfaced.
Arthur De Liedekerke of Rasmussen Global summarized the situation starkly: “Elon Musk is, in fact, the guardian of Ukraine’s connectivity on the battlefield. And that’s a strategic vulnerability.”
EU Satellites in a Starlink-Dominated Era
Europe has woken up to a sobering reality: space-based communication infrastructure is now a pillar of national defense. While SpaceX’s Starlink remains unmatched in terms of satellite density and real-time bandwidth, its private ownership and ties to Elon Musk make many uneasy—especially when those networks are supporting wartime allies like Ukraine.
The European Commission’s March outreach to SES and Eutelsat reflected growing unease. The possibility of Musk unilaterally restricting Ukrainian access, or being pressured by the U.S. government to do so, made Brussels rethink its satellite strategy. The new initiative explores whether SES could serve as a strategic backup—not a competitor, but a stabilizing complement.
SES CEO Adel Al-Saleh told Reuters: “All European governments are serious about increasing their defense spending. There are alternatives—not to completely replace Starlink, that’s not possible—but to augment and complement Starlink.”
This reframing is crucial. Rather than replacing Starlink, SES offers a diversified, secure backup. Its future MEO expansion to 100 satellites underscores this ambition. And while Starlink and China’s SpaceSail dominate low-Earth orbit (LEO), SES is carving a niche in the middle.
Strategic Autonomy and the Bigger Picture
The broader context? A Europe determined not to be technologically dependent on a handful of U.S. or Chinese corporations. Starlink, Amazon’s Project Kuiper, and SpaceSail have massive funding and massive plans—but also singular corporate control.
As Al-Saleh explained: “It’s not that they just want to avoid Starlink or the Chinese. They want to avoid being dependent on one or two providers. They want flexibility.”
This echoes current global shifts. Just as the U.S. is reshoring semiconductor production and incentivizing EV part manufacturing, Europe is building digital sovereignty—starting in space.
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A Strategic Shift Rooted in Realpolitik
Europe’s move toward SES is more than just another funding decision—it’s a statement of intent. When critical infrastructure, like internet access in wartime, is outsourced to a single billionaire’s company, the risks outweigh the benefits. Elon Musk’s Starlink may currently be a lifeline for Ukraine, but it’s also a single point of failure in a geopolitical game that demands redundancy and accountability.
The Battle of Orbits: MEO vs LEO
Starlink dominates in LEO with over 5,000 satellites. But SES’s MEO-based strategy is distinct: fewer satellites, wider coverage per unit, and better latency stability for military and government use. SES isn’t trying to match Starlink’s quantity—but to offer quality with strategic alignment to NATO and EU values.
European Tech Resilience Requires More Than Funding
Throwing money at SES isn’t enough. Europe must coordinate policy, expedite spectrum allocation, and invest in downstream applications. It’s not just about satellites; it’s about the ecosystem: launch capabilities, data centers, encryption standards, and public-private alignment. The EU has struggled with this in other areas (see GAIA-X or Chips Act), so real success here requires deep integration—not just contracts.
Musk’s Role Highlights the Problem
Musk’s dual loyalty—public infrastructure with private incentives—has made him both indispensable and problematic. His move to step back from DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) and focus on Tesla reinforces his unpredictable leadership style. In critical infrastructure like communications or defense, that’s untenable for sovereign nations.
SES and Eutelsat Need to Step Up Fast
SES can’t afford to move at the pace of typical EU-funded projects. Starlink is iterating monthly, not annually. European providers must be ready to offer not just comparable services—but services that are resilient, encrypted, and politically neutral.
Cybersecurity and Data Sovereignty Are Central
Europe isn’t just worried about bandwidth. Who controls the data? Who can shut down access during a crisis? Starlink’s private control means it doesn’t answer to European regulators. SES, by contrast, could be governed within the EU framework, bringing accountability into space infrastructure.
A Wake-Up Call to the EU Defense Community
For decades, Europe has leaned on NATO and U.S. defense spending. Now, as war returns to the continent and China’s tech expands globally, the EU is investing in space. This satellite story is the surface layer of a deeper transformation: Europe finally treating its digital infrastructure as seriously as its roads, rail, and energy grids.
Market Dynamics: It’s Not Just About Politics
Commercial satellite demand is booming. Government contracts often act as anchor clients for broader commercial services. By funding SES now, Europe gives it the credibility to attract more enterprise clients, thereby building a self-sustaining space communications market.
Don’t Count Musk Out Just Yet
Starlink’s technical lead remains immense. Europe’s efforts to complement—not compete—are a realistic path forward. Still, if SES can modernize its services quickly and prove resilient in conflict scenarios, it might secure long-term dominance in Europe.
Fact Checker Results:
- SES currently operates 70 satellites, including 20+ MEO satellites used by NATO and Pentagon.
- The EU has not officially funded SES yet but is in strategic-level talks.
- Starlink has over 5,000 satellites in LEO, and dominates real-time low-latency data networks.
Prediction:
Over the next 12 to 24 months, expect the EU to finalize substantial funding for SES and possibly Eutelsat. This move will be framed as part of Europe’s digital sovereignty doctrine, especially amid U.S. election uncertainties and further global decoupling. Starlink will remain dominant globally, but in Europe, SES is poised to become the “government-preferred layer” in hybrid satellite networks. If SES can accelerate innovation and scale to 100 satellites, it could be the cornerstone of a new European space age—strategically aligned, secure, and sovereign.
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