China is accelerating efforts to develop capabilities to neutralize the Starlink satellite constellation, citing national security concerns over its growing use in modern warfare.
According to reports from Associated Press on July 31, Chinese military strategists and scientists have outlined various methods to disrupt or disable the US-based satellite network, which is owned and operated by SpaceX.
State-backed Chinese media and academic publications increasingly label Starlink as a threat, describing it as a dual-use system that enhances US capabilities in military communications, drone operations, space reconnaissance, and nuclear deterrence.
Among the countermeasures under consideration are:
Directed-energy weapons, including high-powered ground- and submarine-based lasers;
“Killer satellites” equipped with ion thrusters and telescopic sensors designed to intercept or damage Starlink units;
Corrosive agents aimed at solar arrays;
Jamming and signal interception;
International diplomatic efforts to limit private satellite networks.
Open-source analysis of Chinese scientific literature reveals a notable increase in research on methods for identifying and tracking Starlink satellites, including the use of optical telescopes by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) for orbital surveillance.
In one 2023 academic paper, researchers from China’s National University of Defense Technology highlighted the risks posed by the constellation and called for robust defensive and offensive responses.
Approximately two-thirds of all operational satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) are now part of the Starlink system. With around 8,000 satellites already deployed—and more in development—Starlink is considered the world’s largest satellite network. Its role in providing communications for Ukrainian forces during the ongoing war with Russia has drawn particular attention from Chinese analysts.
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Beijing is simultaneously pursuing the development of its own national satellite internet projects, including Guowang and Qianfan, which aim to offer similar capabilities. However, both networks remain in early stages. China has reportedly launched fewer than 100 satellites out of a planned 15,000 for these programs.
While China has not confirmed any direct plans to deploy anti-satellite weapons, its investment in space-based defense capabilities appears to be intensifying.
Starlink currently provides services in 140 countries worldwide, but not in China, Iran, or North Korea.
Earlier in April 2025, Chinese military researchers claimed a breakthrough in hypersonic weapons, unveiling a re-entry glide vehicle capable of global strikes from space-based platforms. The system, reportedly reaching speeds of Mach 20, could hit any target within 30 minutes—though analysts note its infrared visibility and limited terminal maneuverability as key vulnerabilities.
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