Chinese scientists have examined potential methods of obstructing Elon Musk’s Starlink network in Taiwan, prompting concerns that the island could be prevented from using the satellite service in the event of a military confrontation. Researchers from Zhejiang University and the Beijing Institute of Technology concluded that a swarm of more than a thousand drones might be capable of blocking access to Starlink’s satellite-based internet. Their study follows Taiwan’s growing interest in adopting the system amid fears that an attack could disable its mobile and broadband infrastructure, or that China could sever the undersea cables connecting the island to global networks.
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Although Starlink is not yet available in Taiwan, it has played a crucial role in Ukraine, helping military forces maintain communications following Russia’s invasion. The system uses a constellation of more than 8,000 satellites working in tandem with ground-based stations to deliver high-speed internet from space. Russia has repeatedly attempted to jam Starlink’s signals but has been largely unsuccessful due to the network’s scale and its use of advanced encryption. However, the Chinese researchers suggested that a “blanket” of high-altitude drones emitting electromagnetic interference could be sufficient to disrupt connections on the ground.
Simulations showed that drones positioned between three and five miles apart at an altitude of around 20,000 metres could interfere with signal coverage, depending on the power of the jamming equipment used. The researchers estimated that between 1,000 and 2,000 drones would be required to cover the whole of Taiwan. China has previously tested solar-powered drones capable of remaining airborne for more than three weeks.
Efforts to bring Starlink to Taiwan stalled in 2022 when negotiations collapsed over the government’s insistence that any joint venture with SpaceX must be majority-owned by a local entity. Starlink’s current coverage map states that the “service date is unknown” for the island, while Mr Musk’s significant business interests in China may complicate any future launch.
Another Chinese study has proposed targeting Starlink satellites with lasers, while reports have suggested that Vladimir Putin has asked Mr Musk not to activate the service over Taiwan as a gesture to President Xi Jinping.
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President Xi has repeatedly underlined that “reunification” with Taiwan remains his foremost objective and has not ruled out the use of force. In response, Taiwan has been working to improve its own satellite capabilities. It has partnered with Eutelsat OneWeb, Starlink’s Franco-British competitor, and regulators are in discussions with Amazon’s Kuiper project. The island also plans to develop its own satellite system, although it remains several years from deployment. OneWeb’s smaller satellite constellation compared with Starlink may leave it more vulnerable to attempts at disruption.
