The Japanese military is testing the Starlink satellite Internet service aiming to introduce the technology to the Self-Defense Forces.

The Yomiuri newspaper reported on this, citing government sources.

Japan’s Defense Ministry already has access to communications satellites in geostationary orbit, but in addition, the country wants access to satellites in low Earth orbit.

Japan’s Self-Defense Forces have been testing Starlink since March, with the system deployed in about 10 locations and in training.

This month, the US Department of Defense announced that it had signed a contract to provide Starlink services in Ukraine.

Previously, Elon Musk turned down Pentagon funding to sustain the work of Starlink in Ukraine.

Starlink

Starlink is a project of US-based SpaceX to develop a satellite platform to manufacture communication satellites and launch a large number of them into space.

The system provides access to broadband internet access anywhere on the planet.

To connect to satellite communication, the user has to install a special antenna.

The system has repeatedly proven its effectiveness on the battlefield. It was used both to provide communication at a separate position and was installed on drones to increase their range.

As previously reported, since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine has already received 42 thousand Starlink terminals.

U.S. military officials have praised the role of Starlink portable terminals have played in Ukraine since the Russian invasion, providing connectivity for civilians and critical communications for the country’s military.