Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has confirmed ongoing discussions with private companies, including Elon Musk’s SpaceX, regarding Italy’s telecom security infrastructure. Speculation surrounds the potential deal, which could see SpaceX provide encrypted communication services for Italy’s military and emergency systems. This agreement would rival the European Union’s IRIS² satellite program, scheduled to launch by 2030.
While denying that any agreements have been finalized, Meloni stressed that all decisions will prioritize national interests. Her office clarified that the topic was not discussed during a recent meeting with former U.S. President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago.
Giangiacomo Calovini, a Brothers of Italy MP, echoed Meloni’s stance. “We are evaluating all options while awaiting Europe’s guarantees on technical and security levels, which are not yet in place,” he told Euronews. These remarks align with Italy’s expected participation in the EU-backed IRIS² project, a €10 billion constellation of 290 satellites intended to bolster European defense and commercial communications.
Balancing Security and Alliances
Elon Musk’s representative in Italy, Andrea Stroppa, assured that under any deal, Italy would retain full control of its data. Stroppa also emphasized Starlink’s cost advantages over European competitors. However, concerns persist. Frediano Finucci, author of The Great Game of Satellite, highlighted that even with encryption, Starlink could potentially monitor unusual communication patterns, raising questions about sovereignty and trust.
Finucci elaborated: “Italy relies on satellite communications from both Italy and France, and while trust exists, reliance on external providers like SpaceX introduces complexities. The issue isn’t American technology—it’s Musk’s control.” He warned that Starlink’s capacity to detect spikes in communication traffic could resemble historical methods of surveillance, undermining operational security.
Political and Strategic Implications
A deal with SpaceX could deepen ties between Meloni, Musk, and Trump, according to Giovanni Orsina of Luiss University. Such a move might strain Italy’s relationship with the EU, given the union’s investment in IRIS². “Italy is caught between the US and Europe, navigating delicate alliances,” Orsina remarked.
While the timeline for a potential agreement remains uncertain, some analysts suggest that Meloni may be delaying a decision until after Trump’s upcoming inauguration. Whether Italy opts for Starlink or aligns fully with the EU’s IRIS² initiative, the decision will likely signal the country’s strategic priorities for years to come.