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In a Joint Training Between the Brazilian Army and the U.S. Armed Forces, Elon Musk’s Technology Will Be Used to Improve Satellite Communications in a Challenging Scenario of the Caatinga.
The Brazilian Army will invest R$ 179 thousand in services from Starlink, a company owned by billionaire Elon Musk, as part of a joint military training with the United States Armed Forces, scheduled to take place in the Pernambuco hinterland in November 2025.
According to the website Poder 360, the training, called CORE25 (an acronym for Combined Operations and Rotation Exercise), will occur in the cities of Petrolina and Lagoa Grande, located in the heart of the Caatinga.
This initiative is part of an effort to modernize the Army’s communication technology in adverse and hard-to-access environments.
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The amount is part of a larger bidding process, totaling R$ 993 thousand, aimed at acquiring communication and data transmission equipment.
Among the covered items is the hiring of high-performance satellite internet service, provided through the Starlink satellite constellation operating in low Earth orbit (LEO).
Cutting-Edge Technology for Field Communication
The central objective of the operation is to enhance the efficiency and interoperability of Brazilian and American troops during combat simulations and strategic missions.
The use of satellite communication is considered essential to ensure the exchange of data and commands in real time, even in areas where there is no conventional internet coverage.
According to the terms of the bidding, disclosed by the portal Metrópoles, the contract includes telecommunication services offering broadband satellite connectivity for portable use, with technical support and maintenance for a period of 12 months.
The chosen system must allow simultaneous voice and data transmissions, with a minimum speed of 464 kbps, and must be portable, durable, and effective in extreme environments.
A reference model cited was the BGAN Explorer 510, equipment specifically designed for remote areas, with a magnesium structure resistant to dust, water, and intense heat.
CORE25: A Strategic Partnership with the U.S.
The CORE25 exercise represents another chapter in the cooperation between Brazil and the United States in the area of defense and security.
The initiative aims to strengthen interoperability among troops and test state-of-the-art equipment in a realistic combined operations scenario.
The Caatinga biome was chosen for its challenging characteristics, such as the dry climate, rugged terrain, and sparse vegetation — an ideal environment to test the adaptability of communication systems.
This region is also a frequent stage for military training in Brazil as it simulates wartime conditions in arid and remote areas.
In addition to using Starlink technology, CORE25 will have two communication systems capable of collecting data through up to five simultaneous channels, with full satellite synchronization.
Elon Musk and the Involvement with the Public Sector
Besides being the CEO of SpaceX — the parent company of Starlink — Elon Musk has expanded his involvement in areas related to governments and defense.
In 2024, the businessman took on a new role by leading the so-called DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency, in English), created by the U.S. government to review public spending and combat fraud, abuse, and waste.
The presence of Starlink in contracts with governments has been increasing in recent years.
In addition to Brazil, countries like Ukraine, the United States, Poland, and Japan have also been using the company’s technology in military, emergency, or conflict and isolation areas.
In 2022, for example, Starlink gained global attention by providing satellite internet to Ukraine during the initial months of the Russian invasion, which ensured connectivity for troops and civilians in war-devastated areas.
Criticism and Concerns About Technological Dependence
Despite the technological advancement represented by Starlink, defense experts warn of the risks of dependence on foreign companies for strategic communication services.
The concern intensifies in countries like Brazil, which do not yet have a robust satellite internet infrastructure for military use.
According to analysts in the field, although Starlink offers effective and high-speed solutions, digital sovereignty can be compromised when sensitive data is transmitted over networks controlled by foreign companies.
This debate is already occurring in international forums, especially among nations seeking their own alternatives, such as China, Russia, and India.
In Brazil, there are also initiatives to develop and launch their own geostationary satellites.
In 2017, the SGDC (Geostationary Satellite for Defense and Strategic Communications) was placed into orbit, operated by Telebras in partnership with the Ministry of Defense, but its use does not yet meet all the needs of the Armed Forces, especially in portable and short-term operations.
Investments in Innovation and Training
The hiring of Starlink reflects the growing pursuit of innovation and technological adaptation by the Brazilian Army.
By opting for a modern and high-performance connectivity solution, the corporation demonstrates alignment with practices already adopted by other nations in their training and missions.
According to data from the Ministry of Defense itself, there is a growing trend in investments in cutting-edge technology to optimize training, reduce operational risks, and accelerate troop responses in hostile scenarios.
The expectation is that, during CORE25, the results obtained from the application of satellite internet will serve as a foundation for new strategies to modernize Brazilian military infrastructure.
The Future of Military Connectivity
The increasing presence of private companies in the defense sector has caused a shift in how governments view technology.
The case of Brazil with Starlink is just one example of how collaboration between states and technology giants can reshape national security pathways.
In the midst of this transformation, the question remains: to what extent is it possible to trust that commercial interests and national sovereignty can walk hand in hand?
Do you believe Brazil should invest more in its own military communication solutions or continue relying on cutting-edge foreign technology? Comment below and join the discussion!
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