JAKARTA The Democratic Party (PD), Italy’s main opposition party, has raised serious concerns about the Giorgia Meloni coalition government’s plan to involve Elon Musk’s company SpaceX in the country’s satellite program update. Parliamentary documents show that the move could pose a national security risk.
The parliamentary defense committee approved a government proposal this week, which includes a replacement of an old satellite system called SICRAL with a new system. The SICRAL system, which was first launched in 2001, has been developed by Telespazio and Thales Alenia Space, two joint ventures between the aerospace group and the Italian defense Leonardo and the French company Thales.
PD asked the government to make it clear that SpaceX would not be called to help launch the SICRAL 3 satellite into orbit. Deputy Defense Minister Isabella Rauti stated that the government would assess its options, but she acknowledged that SpaceX is the most advanced company available in the market.
“We just want Italian or European companies involved in security issues like SICRAL,” said PD lawmaker and member of the defense committee, Stefano Graziano, quoted by VOI from Reuters. His party abstained from the vote.
Italy’s opposition parties have repeatedly urged the government to prevent Musk and his company from engaging in national security concerns, amid concerns over the influence it has through its Starlink satellite service.
Europe itself has rushed to find viable alternatives to SpaceX’s low-orbit satellites for communications and intelligence, while launching a platform to ensure independent access to space, as pan-European projects are still lagging behind.
Musk, who is touted as a friend of Prime Minister Meloni, held talks with Italian officials about potential telecommunications contracts, but discussions stalled earlier this year amid increasing political controversy.
“The launch of the SICRAL 3 satellite answers the need to strengthen national connectivity and provide strategic independence for Italy in long-range communication,” Rauti told Reuters.
SpaceX did not immediately respond to requests for comment via email regarding this news.
The SICRAL system uses a geostationary satellite for confidential strategic and tactical communication, to support defense missions both in Italy and abroad. The Italian government will invest a total of 767 million euros (IDR 14.4 trillion) until 2028 in the program. Rauti said the new satellite will be launched in the first half of 2027.
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