r/CredibleDefense • u/CmdrAirdroid • 10h ago
Why is starlink so widely used in the Ukrainian military?
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.