China Steps Up Starlink Countermeasures Amid Space Competition

China has intensified efforts to counter the growing influence of Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite network, deploying a range of advanced strategies that include stealth submarines equipped with lasers capable of targeting satellites in orbit [1]. According to a review of Chinese academic publications by the Associated Press, Chinese government and military scientists have published numerous papers detailing ways to locate and potentially destroy Starlink satellites, driven by concerns over the system’s potential for military use and espionage [2]. The Chinese National University of Defense Technology has explicitly highlighted the strategic risks posed by Starlink, particularly its integration into U.S. military infrastructure and its global expansion [3].

Starlink, with its extensive constellation of low-orbit satellites, has become a dominant force in space-based communication, accounting for approximately two-thirds of all active satellites. As of 2025, SpaceX operates over 8,000 active satellites and plans to launch tens of thousands more. This technological edge has raised global concerns about dependency on a private entity for critical infrastructure, especially given Musk’s expanding political influence and ties to various governments, including his involvement with former U.S. President Donald Trump [4].

The Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 further amplified these concerns. Ukrainian forces effectively used Starlink to maintain battlefield communications and operate drones, demonstrating the system’s strategic value. However, this also exposed the risk of relying on a single individual—Musk—for uninterrupted service, as he has at times restricted access to sensitive areas like Crimea [5]. This event has prompted governments worldwide to reconsider their reliance on foreign satellite networks, with the European Union investing heavily in its own satellite initiative, IRIS2, to ensure strategic autonomy [6].

China has also taken concrete steps to develop its own alternatives. In 2021, the government established China SatNet to build a military-capable satellite network called Guowang, with 60 of a planned 13,000 satellites now in orbit. Additionally, Qianfan, a Shanghai-backed company, has launched 90 satellites out of 15,000 planned and has begun targeting markets in Asia and Africa [7]. These efforts reflect China’s dual focus on national security and global competitiveness in the satellite communications sector.

Chinese researchers have identified vulnerabilities in Starlink’s supply chain and suggested a range of countermeasures, from tailing satellites with monitoring fleets to using corrosive materials to damage components [8]. While some U.S. analysts argue that Beijing’s concerns may be exaggerated, the increasing number of Chinese academic papers published after 2022 suggests a growing consensus about the need for active defense strategies [9].

Starlink’s near-monopoly in the satellite communications market has made it a focal point of geopolitical tensions, with countries and companies scrambling to develop viable alternatives. Despite efforts by Amazon and the EU, none have come close to matching SpaceX’s scale or speed. As Starlink expands into new markets—recently securing a license to operate in India and making inroads in countries like Vietnam and Pakistan—its global footprint continues to raise concerns about data control and infrastructure dependency [10].

The broader implications of this technological and strategic competition are evident. Starlink’s dominance not only reshapes the global satellite communications landscape but also intersects with deepening geopolitical rivalries and shifting power dynamics. As China and other nations race to build their own satellite constellations, the race for space-based control has become a key arena in the 21st-century technological arms race [11].

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[1] https://fortune.com/2025/08/01/china-starlink-elon-musk-space-lasers/