SDF considers adopting Musk's Starlink satellite service: report

Better clarify exactly what you expect out of Starlink as Musk turned off some aspect being used by Ukraine in its defense.

Am a fan of the Muskman, but why does Starlink remind me of SkyNet? Wonder how old John Connor is?

It would in the best security interest of Japan to build its own system.

Better clarify exactly what you expect out of Starlink as Musk turned off some aspect being used by Ukraine in its defense.

False. What actually happened is that Musk told the government to pay up as its not his job to endlessly give out goodies for free. So now the Pentagon is going to do just that and entered into a contract with him.

It would in the best security interest of Japan to build its own system.

I do not agree. Japan has historically built a lot of great technology. However in recent years, they often overcomplicate things by trying to essentially reinvent the wheel, when certain standard conventions and processes have already been established. This is out of their wheelhouse. Don't try to prop up some domestic competitor- just do what already works.

Musk is full of it. He could fund it forever. But he is selfish and wants developing nations like Japan to finance it. As a South African he is used to using people to his advantage. While his creation of Starlink appears noble, it is more likely just for his enormous ego. I mean, seriously people, his head is larger in size now than before. Just like Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds when they were doping except somehow the cage fighter Elon never got buff.

I’m selfish if I don’t give away my product free forever?

i don’t recognize the thought processes of most of the people of this “expect to get everything for nothing” world anymore.

Effectively giving some random billionaire control over what your defence forces can do is not a good idea. Whatever the reasons he has already demonstrated a willingness to leverage it for his own economic benefit/political views, so intrinsically untrustworthy.

Blue check, Ukraine, hyperloop hype, boring co, tesla bot, his one hit is tesla. All else hinges on hope. Ukraine and Twitter blue check are 2 examples where he can cause chaos and hints at his ability to consider extorting when in a pinch. My point one person show who cannot be trusted with matters pertaining to national security at any level especially communication capability. Hope Japan does their homework rather than get high on his vaporware.

If Musk cannot be trusted to defend Japan, why can he be trusted to be nice to China?

It would in the best security interest of Japan to build its own system.

why not save themselves some money and send all secret military information directly to China by email. Same result

I would be highly skeptical about Musk/Starlink satellite service ability to provide a stable and dependable product/service.

And to underwrite this venture with taxpayers money could be a nightmare waiting to happen.

That will be the end of SDF. Outsourcing something so important to a private organization known to be very friendly to hostile neighbor.

Just sounds bad in every way!

cue the terminator robots….

People are making more money on YouTube by feeding the cult with nonsense than Starlink.

Shot them all down. They are watching you.

Very stupid idea and I’d be sad to see my tax money have anything to do with it.

The stupidest decision Japan could make. They might as well let China control their internet access.

Elon Musk is a Chinese agent!

Pretty sure Musk himself said starlink can't be used for military operations. Someone needs to read the fine print.

Japan should deploy its own low orbit satellite cluster. Of course this would require many successful rocket launches.

Successful orbital launches by country, 2022

China - 62

Europe - 4

India - 4

Japan - 0

Russia - 22

I forgot the USA - 84

Honest question, does Japan have the engineering talent required?

It would in the best security interest of Japan to build its own system.

Honest question, does Japan have the engineering talent required?

Someone has never heard of JAXA.

It's system engineering above simply launching into orbit and JAXA is having trouble even doing that.

Because Japan space launch system is a total failure. They need to get their sh1t together. Can you imagine your national security relying in that PayPal/spacex/twitter guy?

Where I came from, 75% of people have switched to Starlink in the last 2 years. For people living in rural countrysides, it has to be the best option you have. Fast, reliable, little downtime, easy setup, and relatively inexpensive compared to other systems.

It's a great option for anyone mobile, or out of city limits. So it would be great for the forces.

As much as this would save costs, I don’t believe it is prudent to depend on private corporations, a foreign one much less for sensitive assets like intel and comms.

To add, it would also give Elon enormous leverage in national defense and strategy.

Defense ministry spokespeople could not immediately be reached for comment on the report outside business hours.….

Lets hope that Japan is able to defend itself outside business hours but I have my doubts…

Musk turned off an aspect being used by the Ukraine because he is forced to by law. American law prevents citizens from making products that are used in warfare, so the Ukraine can use Starlink to get internet and for its communications, but it's illegal for Musk to allow them to use it to pilot drone strikes.

Not Musk's fault.

Re China, keep your enemies closer.

Re Japan, Starlink will be just as accessible as for any other customer, in fact, the contractural Service Level Agreement may cost more, but put them at the top of the queue for service.

Musk showing any signs of not trustworthy for Military customers would loose him business fast.