MDG lawmaker demands halt to Starlink use in Norwegian armed forces

Ingrid Liland, a parliamentarian and deputy leader of the Green Party, urged the Norwegian government to cease all use of the Starlink satellite internet service by the armed forces, arguing that dependence on the system could endanger national security. She pointed to reports that the United States has limited Ukraine's Starlink access amid Russian attacks as a cautionary example. At a recent parliamentary question session, Liland asked Defence Minister Tore O. Sandvik if he could promise that Starlink would not be further deployed within the military; Sandvik responded that he could not make such a guarantee, citing lessons from the Ukraine conflict.

He emphasized that the military still operates multiple other communication systems. Defence communication chief Hanne Stine Kind explained that Starlink is primarily employed for welfare and personal communication purposes, while any operational use remains classified. The debate highlights growing concerns over reliance on commercial satellite services for critical defence functions.