Washington is throttling Ukraine's satellite link while Russia launches 850 drones in 36 hours.
Top story
White House ordered speed cap on Starshield satellite link used by Ukraine’s interceptor drones. The White House directed the Pentagon to impose bandwidth limits on SpaceX’s Starshield satellite service used by Ukraine for drone operations and battlefield communications, according to Defense News sources. Ukrainian officials say the caps degrade interceptor performance at a time when Russia is launching more than 850 Shahed drones in 36-hour periods. President Zelenskyy had reportedly proposed halting strikes on Russian refineries in exchange for expanded Starlink access extending 300 km inside Russia. Why it matters: Washington is throttling a tactical link in the middle of Ukraine’s most severe drone-defense crisis — a policy choice that broadcasts operational limits more clearly than any press briefing. (Corroborated) Defense News →
The rundown
PROCUREMENT — Lockheed Martin delivered the first C-130J-30 Super Hercules to the U.S. Navy for conversion into the E-130J Phoenix II, which will assume the Take Charge And Move Out airborne nuclear communications mission from the aging E-6B Mercury fleet. The turboprop platform replaces the jet-powered E-6, a Boeing 707 derivative. The Navy plans a fleet of E-130Js to maintain constant radio contact with ballistic missile submarines. (Corroborated) The War Zone → · Defence Industry Europe → · The Aviationist →
PROCUREMENT — Russia is expanding military installations near Latvia’s border and infiltrating individuals with military experience across sparsely defended sections, Latvia’s Defense Ministry state secretary Airis Rikveilis told Breaking Defense. He said Moscow is ‘tempted to test’ European preparedness through hybrid tactics including illegal crossings and tunnel construction. Rikveilis added that much of the new Russian infrastructure remains empty or partly staffed, but its presence demonstrates strategic intent. Latvia’s military and border guards are coordinating responses. (Single source) Breaking Defense →
DRONES — Germany has altered its approach to acquiring the MQ-28 loyal-wingman drone, a Boeing official told Breaking Defense, casting doubt on Berlin’s 2029 target to field a collaborative combat aircraft. Germany had previously signaled interest in the MQ-28 as its CCA solution, which would have made it the first European nation to deploy such a system. The official did not specify what alternative path Germany is now pursuing. (Single source) Breaking Defense →
By the numbers
4 events in this issue · 2/4 corroborated · 3/4 European · busiest beat: procurement
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