Last week, Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Kateryna Chornogorenko signed an agreement on the use of the Link-16 protocol in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Ukrainian aircraft will now be equipped with NATO communication and control systems. They will be able to operate jointly with Western air defense systems, which have long been in service with the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This is a reliable, modern communications system that will effectively integrate the command and control of the Ukrainian army and NATO forces. At least in the future, this prospect is realistic.
But once again, I note that much more modern, cheaper, and reliable civilian technologies are entering the arena, which military scientists and designers cannot compete with. This year, news emerged that Apple and SpaceX are already testing signal transmission between iPhones and satellites. Direct communication from ordinary smartphones via civilian satellites is being studied at a very advanced stage of R&D in several campaigns. Among them are both recognized leaders and startups. It is not yet known which of them will be the first to offer the service commercially.
But if in the coming years the military will be able to establish reliable communication from anywhere on the planet using a simple smartphone, they will start using proven programs that have long been part of their practice on the front lines. These include messengers, mapping services, and much more. It is not difficult to predict communication between crews, radars, and command via civilian channels.
Direct communication between smartphones via civilian satellites will give the military unprecedented opportunities. And a whole segment of top-secret military technologies, which defense industry corporations are proud of, will become a thing of the past. Everything will become significantly cheaper, simpler, and will change in market competition without the prodding of generals.
This seems like science fiction today, but who would have thought a few years ago that Elon Musk’s Starlink would provide stable control of an entire huge army? After all, it was not created for this purpose, only recently. Now, no one in the Armed Forces of Ukraine wants to give up Starlink; they even call its possible shutdown a disaster. No one will give up the Link-16 protocol either. But if civilian services prove to be simpler, more functional, and more reliable, then NATO will gradually stop using this “military Wi-Fi.”
This article highlights an important shift in military communications technology. It’s interesting to see how civilian innovations like satellite-enabled smartphones could transform traditional defense systems. The integration of Link-16 with Ukrainian forces is a crucial step now, but the future might really belong to more accessible and flexible solutions coming from the commercial sector.
This article really opens my eyes to how fast technology is changing the way military communication works. The idea that regular smartphones could soon connect directly through satellites to support missions sounds like something out of a futuristic movie, but it makes so much sense and could really transform everything. It’s fascinating to think about how traditional, expensive military systems might be replaced by simpler, more accessible tech that anyone can use. The impact on strategy and coordination on the battlefield must be huge, and it’s exciting to imagine what the future holds for both armed forces and civilians alike 🚀