Ukraine is facing a major setback after the US, under President Donald Trump’s administration, began rolling back critical military aid.
Following the March 3 announcement of a “temporary” suspension of assistance, concerns are growing in Kyiv that this may escalate to a complete shutdown of essential military communication networks.
One of the biggest fears is the potential deactivation of the Falcon III tactical radios produced by L3Harris.
These radios form the backbone of secure military communication for Ukraine’s ground forces, enabling coordinated operations.
Without them, seamless communication between units could be jeopardized, significantly weakening Ukraine’s defense capabilities.
The Impact of Losing Secure Communication
While Starlink has been a more well-known component of Ukraine’s communications infrastructure, the Falcon III radio network is just as critical.
Kyiv estimates that if Washington proceeds with shutting it down, it could take only a week to disable the entire system—possibly without prior notice.
European alternatives, such as radio networks from Airbus Group or Turkey’s Aselsan, might serve as replacements, but transitioning would take time and could create vulnerabilities.
Satellite Intelligence Cut Off
The situation worsened on March 6 when the Trump administration confirmed that Ukraine’s access to technical intelligence, including satellite imagery and intercepted communications, would be suspended.
Unlike tactical radios, there are no easy substitutes for these real-time data streams.
Ukraine has relied heavily on US geospatial intelligence, particularly satellite imagery from Maxar Technologies and BlackSky, which provide crucial visual data for military operations.
These images, contracted through the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), have been a key asset for Ukraine’s military intelligence agency.
However, reports indicate that Maxar Technologies has already revoked Ukraine’s access at the request of the US government.
The Challenge of Finding Alternatives
No European provider can match the scale and accessibility of US satellite reconnaissance.
The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and private firms like Maxar and BlackSky offer a level of intelligence that European allies simply cannot replicate.
Losing this real-time imagery could significantly impact Ukraine’s ability to track enemy movements and plan defensive strategies.
Who Are Maxar and L3Harris?
Maxar Technologies is a leading American space and intelligence company specializing in satellite imagery, Earth observation, and geospatial intelligence.
Headquartered in Westminster, Colorado, Maxar was formed through a 2017 merger of DigitalGlobe and MDA Holdings.
In 2023, it was acquired by private equity firm Advent International in a $6.4 billion deal.
L3Harris Technologies, based in the US, is a major defense contractor producing tactical radios, surveillance systems, avionics, and other military communication tools.
Formed from the merger of L3 Technologies and Harris Corporation in 2019, it ranks among the top defense companies supplying advanced communication solutions for NATO forces.
What Happens Next?
As Ukraine navigates this sudden loss of crucial military support, it must explore alternative sources for communication and reconnaissance technology.
While European allies might step in with limited solutions, the immediate impact of these cuts could severely affect Ukraine’s strategic capabilities.
Kyiv will now have to assess its options quickly to mitigate the fallout from Washington’s abrupt policy shift.