The report encourages the Chinese PLA to develop strategies to observe, disable, and destroy not just individual Starlink satellites but the entire system.

But why is Starlink a threat to China, and would the Chinese government actually attack Starlink?

Concerns From the Chinese Military Establishment

In an article in China’s Modern Defence Technology journal, Ren Yuanzhen from the PLA’s Beijing Institute of Tracking and Telecommunications asserted that Starlink brings hidden dangers to the Asian country.

According to the Google-translated report:

Although the researchers recognize Starlink’s contribution to developing internet and communication technologies, they also shared how it can be used for other purposes. According to the report, when SpaceX filed for a patent in August 2017, its included satellite communication and transmission, satellite imaging, remote sensing, and other services.

This broad application means that, alongside civilian applications, Starlink also has massive military potential. This allegation is further supported by the US Military’s cooperation with SpaceX in developing and launching its satellites.

According to an English article published in May 2022 on the China Military website:

At the time of writing, there is no official word or comment from the Chinese military’s top brass yet, so there’s no certainty whether they see Starlink as a real threat.

According to the report, one of the biggest augmentations Starlink provides to the US’s combat capacity is its ability to provide low-cost and high-speed internet globally. As combat systems become digital, so is the need to transmit more information reliably.

In fact, as reported by Teslarati, the US Air Force successfully tested Starlink with the F-35 Lightning II for Agile Combat Employment. The results saw Starlink providing internet connection much quicker than current military satellites.

Furthermore, Starlink has over 2,000 satellites in low-earth orbit, with plans of putting up to 40,000. Once Starlink deployment is complete, SpaceX will have 24-hour coverage of the globe.

The researchers fear Starlink satellites can carry capabilities like photo-reconnaissance, infrared imaging, radar, and other payloads. This means they might have difficulty determining which satellite is used purely for commercial purposes and which ones have military capabilities.

Another issue raised is that the US could use the Starlink platform for detecting and tracking missiles and hypersonic vehicles. Although there’s no confirmation that the Starlink platform is indeed used as such, Reuters reported in 2020 that SpaceX would build missile-tracking satellites for the Pentagon.

All these reports are just Starlink’s potential for military use. However, this was proven when Elon sent Starlink internet kits to Ukraine. According to the presentation deck he gave to SpaceX employees in June 2022, they’ve already sent 15,000 Starlink kits to help keep Ukrainians connected.

And it’s not just civilians taking advantage of it, as Business Insider reported that Starlink changed the war in Ukraine’s favor.

Because of Starlink’s capabilities, researchers recommended several things. Some of these include China expanding its monitoring capabilities, including increasing its resolution and the capacity to read more satellites.

But their biggest recommendation is that the PLA must have the “ability of low-orbit group target system confrontation.”

Sun Tzu’s The Art of War says, “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.” Starlink, which allows seamless global satellite communications and can possibly host other sensors, does give the US efficient communication. And, if they use it to host other technologies, it will allow them to observe China constantly.

Nevertheless, this is just a research paper. Although China and the US frequently clash on the world stage, there is no reason for them to act against Starlink for now. So, if you’re a Starlink user, this report is just that—a report. It’s not an official strategy or action by the PLA. Besides, the US has its own anti-satellite capabilities, too.