Elon Musk’s high-speed Starlink to be trialled on Royal Navy aircraft carrier

Sailors on board Britain’s biggest warship will trial ’s internet network Starlink when they deploy to the Indo-Pacific later this year. HMS Prince of Wales’ crew are set to use the technology to contact loved ones and watch television during the aircraft carrier’s nine-month deployment.

The trial was first reported by and if successful, could see Starlink introduced to the rest of the fleet, according to a source. Starlink is made up of more than 6,750 satellites in orbit, providing high-speed internet to remote areas where there is limited access. A Navy spokesperson confirmed to the Express the trial is for “non-operational wifi on board” to give sailors “better connectivity to their loved ones”.

The technology, run by SpaceX, serves millions across the world.

It has been used extensively by the Ukrainian armed forces, crucial for the operation of drones and encrypted communications.

A defence industry source told there are concerns Starlink could be “weaponised” by .

“The concern is that it is another capability that we are relying on the US for — and one they could easily switch off at a time when it is clear we need more UK sovereign capability,” the source said.

The spokesperson said the Senior Service “has separate systems for critical operational satellite connectivity”.

, who is a senior adviser to the administration, said ’s “entire front line” would collapse if he turned Starlink off.

He described it as the “backbone of the Ukrainian army” but later said “no matter how much I disagree with the policy, Starlink will never turn off its terminals”.

The foreign minister of , which pays for Kyiv to use the service, challenged ’s comments on social media.

The world’s richest man replied: “Be quiet, small man.”

HMS Prince of Wales will depart for the Indo-Pacific in the Spring.

The £3.5 billion flagship will lead a group of warships in the region, visiting and , and taking part in exercises with allies.