# DoD Contracts Starlink Services for Ukraine

The U.S. Department of Defense announced on June 1, 2023, that it had contracted with SpaceX for Starlink satellite communications services supporting Ukraine. The contract’s value, duration, and number were not disclosed. The related reporting describes Ukrainian connectivity as supported through a mix of government-funded service arrangements, private subscriptions, and volunteer repair networks, rather than a single procurement channel. It also discusses a planned 2026 Starlink direct-to-mobile service in Ukraine, but does not establish whether that service launched. For procurement professionals, the signals point to sustained demand for resilient satellite communications while highlighting provider dependence and the difficulty of distinguishing government-funded service from privately sourced access.

- The DoD announcement does not provide a public contract value, duration, or contract number, so it signals market demand but not a defined bidding opportunity.
- The reporting cites Polish government payments of $50 million per year for Starlink subscriptions serving Ukraine; procurement teams assessing total market activity should distinguish this arrangement from the DoD contract and private subscriptions.
- SpaceX is the incumbent service provider in the reported arrangements. Eutelsat/OneWeb and Amazon’s developing satellite network are identified as alternatives, while Kyivstar was planning Starlink direct-to-mobile service for 2026; the source does not confirm that rollout.
- Organizations supporting communications continuity can evaluate service diversification and terminal repair or adaptation capabilities, which the reporting identifies as relevant to Ukraine’s reliance on satellite connectivity.

**Jurisdictions:** federal, international
**Industries:** Defense & Military, Information Technology
**Topics:** Digital Infrastructure
**Published:** October 23, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)
- Ministry of Defence of Ukraine (MoD)
- Poland’s Ministry of Digitalization

### Vendors
- SpaceX (Starlink service provider under government service arrangements, including the DoD contract)
- Eutelsat (OneWeb satellite communications operator identified as an alternative service provider)
- Kyivstar (Mobile operator planning to offer Starlink direct-to-mobile service in Ukraine)
- Amazon (Developer of the Project Kuiper satellite communications network)

### Key Quotes
> Starlink has really become one of the powerful tools of defense of Ukraine.
> — Volodymyr Stepanets, founder of Narodnyi Starlink

> This step does increase dependency. But that dependency is already there.
> — Juliana Süss, associate fellow at RUSI

### Sources
- [An old article, but essential reading: https://t.co/1mAoWM62U9

It appears Starlink terminals provided to the Ukrainian government for civilian use, terminals provided through the SpaceX contract for military purposes, and terminals privately purchased by Ukrainians are all mixed](https://x.com/thoughtflblonde/status/2112799523513008229) - twitter-defense
- [I’m grateful America decided to assist Ukraine with this contract.
The evil Russia is doing against Ukraine must be defeated! 

SpaceX's Starlink wins Pentagon contract for satellite services to Ukraine https://t.co/KJCnRVqxuk](https://x.com/regie2bme/status/2113724825818873858) - twitter-defense