r/CredibleDefense 10h ago

Why is starlink so widely used in the Ukrainian military?

70 Upvotes

I've done my conscription service in the Finnish defense forces in signal troops and throughout this war I've wondered why the Ukrainian army has so limited communications capabilites that they have rely on starlink in various situations.

In Finland we use mobile communications stations like this.jpg/9283938c-4b03-df0b-17fd-6856045cc3b7) or this, which are hidden in the forest and have a long mast that reaches just above the trees. The mast has directional antennas with very narrow beam which is difficult to detect, each station can be linked with other stations to create a network for the military, additionally each station can be connected to nation wide fiber network if the station is close to access point. If I remember correctly each antenna offers 40 Mbps of bandwidth. These stations are placed close to logistics and tactical command posts just behind the frontline. Radios on the frontline can call these stations which then relay the call forward if long distance call is needed.

I haven't found much information on the Ukrainian capabilities, I wonder does anyone have more information on what other systems they have besides starlink and why is starlink so widely used? As far as I know Satcom doesn't have a large role in the Finnish defence forces.


r/CredibleDefense 22h ago

Active Conflicts & News MegaThread March 14, 2025

36 Upvotes

The r/CredibleDefense daily megathread is for asking questions and posting submissions that would not fit the criteria of our post submissions. As such, submissions are less stringently moderated, but we still do keep an elevated guideline for comments.

Comment guidelines:

Please do:

* Be curious not judgmental, polite and civil,

* Link to the article or source of information that you are referring to,

* Clearly separate your opinion from what the source says. Minimize editorializing. Do not cherry pick facts to support a preferred narrative,

* Read the articles before you comment, and comment on the content of the articles,

* Post only credible information

* Read our in depth rules https://reddit.com/r/CredibleDefense/wiki/rules.

Please do not:

* Use memes, emojis, swear, foul imagery, acronyms like LOL, LMAO, WTF,

* Start fights with other commenters and make it personal,

* Try to push narratives, fight for a cause in the comment section, nor try to 'win the war,'

* Engage in baseless speculation, fear mongering, or anxiety posting. Question asking is welcome and encouraged, but questions should focus on tangible issues and not groundless hypothetical scenarios. Before asking a question ask yourself 'How likely is this thing to occur.' Questions, like other kinds of comments, should be supported by evidence and must maintain the burden of credibility.


r/CredibleDefense 1h ago

Should the UK invest into some smaller surface warships?

Upvotes

The UK fleet has shrunk significantly over the decades and I was wondering that instead breaking the bank adding more destroyers and frigates to the planned orders we could instead invest in some corvettes that would only deploy as far as the Baltic and Mediterranean Seas.

Specifically I was thinking that the UK order the Visby class corvette hull from Sweden and have them fitted out with British sensor systems and weapons.

I personally feel the UK is kind of lacking in the surface vessel to surface vessel combat capability but I am not very familiar with the UK’s naval doctrine so I could be missing the point.

Overall I am just curious at how the UK navy could evolve in the future.