Guido Crosetto, the Italian Minister of Defense, spoke in an interview with La Repubblica about Starlink and the role of satellite communications in national security. He explained that the issue of using Starlink in official channels is being discussed as part of a broader debate on resilience and sovereignty. He stressed that any decision will be guided by safety and usefulness for Italy.
Crosetto addressed statements from SpaceX founder Elon Musk, noting that the matter will be settled after the current disputes are resolved. The focus is that technology should serve Italy s security and public interest rather than create new vulnerabilities.
Italy’s government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, is exploring an encrypted communications channel linking government offices, diplomats, and defense ministry staff operating in high risk areas. Starlink is among the applicants for delivering such services. SpaceX has maintained a presence in Italy for several years, with a broad satellite network that could support secure links.
Some observers argue that Starlink could become a critical component in crisis zones, including Ukraine, and there are concerns about what would happen if satellite services were disrupted.
The discussions reflect a strategic drive in Italy to ensure secure state communications while balancing the capabilities of commercial satellites and sovereignty. The outcome will depend on technical readiness, regulatory rules, and mutual cooperation with partners.