Forbes: Ukrainian Forces Can Use HIMARS on the Battlefield Without U.S. Intelligence
- 6.03.2025, 13:47
Trump's decision could harm America.
By isolating Ukraine from vital intelligence, the US is also isolating itself — especially in space. However, this will not stop Ukraine's efforts to protect civilians from Russian missile strikes, although it may complicate them, Forbes writes.
At the same time, the publication emphasizes that Ukraine's European allies have many of the same space capabilities as the US, albeit on a smaller scale. Similar services are also provided by commercial companies. Ukraine leased a radar surveillance satellite from the Finnish company Iceye for $17 million back in 2022.
Two years later, Germany paid for the expansion of Ukraine's space surveillance capabilities at the expense of Rheinmetall and Iceye. And the Netherlands paid $13 million to the American company Maxar, whose satellites regularly photograph almost the entire surface of the Earth, for access to the images.
The Netherlands is reported to be sharing intelligence with the Ukrainians under a 2024 memorandum. Ukraine also receives space data from Europe's largest space powers: the UK, Italy, and France. Poland is paying for Starlink's services, confirming its commitment to continue funding even amid reports that Ukraine's access to the system could be blocked.
In addition, the Franco-British satellite communications company Eutelsat is currently negotiating with the European Union to provide services to Ukraine.
As for the US "self-isolation" in the event of attempts to restrict Ukraine, the point is that the US military and intelligence agencies do not always generate all the intelligence themselves - they also benefit from data sharing, especially through the Five Eyes alliance, which includes Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, and the US.
Although under the leadership of US President Donald Trump, this alliance may fall apart. After all, amid the escalating trade war with Canada and his bizarre idea to force Canada to join the US as the 51st state, Trump adviser Peter Navarro has called for Canada to be kicked out of the Five Eyes, which would be detrimental to all members of the alliance.