Belarus improvises with DIY 'Starlink' from AliExpress components
Belarus has announced the creation of its own Starlink satellite terminal, known as "Kulis." We explore whether these terminals, sourced from China, can operate with Elon Musk's Starlink.
As reported by the Defence-UA portal, Belarusian military officials have announced the deployment of the "Kulis" satellite system, intended to be an equivalent to SpaceX's Starlink. This information was shared by Vadim Romanov, the head of communications for the Belarusian armed forces, during a program broadcast on Belarusian television.
Although the program did not show any images of the new system, two weeks prior, another Belarusian channel, CTVBY, presented details of the "Kulis." This system is actually composed of components available for purchase on AliExpress. The only military-specific element is the Belarusian encryption module "Prityok-Sz."
This DIY terminal lacks essential software and is not an authorized station by SpaceX, making it ineffective despite having capabilities similar to the original. Moreover, the Belarusian "Kulis" features an outdated satellite dish from the early 2000s.
Starlink in Ukraine — a common substitute for C4I systems
Both Ukrainians and Russians are trying to use commercial solutions as substitutes for C4I (Command, Control, Communication, Computing and Intelligence) systems. In addition to applications like Google Meet or Discord, wireless communication between soldiers on the frontline and command centres located a few or several kilometres inland is essential.
Currently, the only commercial system enabling this is the network of nearly 7,000 Starlink satellites operated by Elon Musk. Its destruction is practically impossible through conventional methods, and the GPS signal needed to sync the terminal with the satellites can be bypassed. By digging a hole over one metre deep and placing the antenna inside, the effectiveness of land-based jammers can be negated.
