A product has made the White House nervous, China has introduced a Starlink terminal interference device and even openly exhibited it!
In early 2026, at a defense technology exhibition that was not highly publicized but rich in information, the China Electronics Technology Group (CETC) publicly displayed a new electronic warfare equipment—a portable system specifically designed to detect and interfere with "Starlink" user terminals. This device is compact, can be operated by a single soldier, and can also be integrated into a drone platform for mobile deployment.
It does not attack the satellites themselves, but rather precisely locks onto the communication link between ground terminals and low-orbit satellites. Once activated, it can effectively block Starlink signals within a range of hundreds of meters to several kilometers.
This action may seem like a technical detail, but it carries significant strategic implications.
In the Ukraine war, Starlink has long surpassed the label of "civilian internet service." The Ukrainian military relies on its terminals to maintain communication with frontline troops, guide FPV suicide drones, coordinate artillery adjustments, and even support real-time intelligence transmission from command posts.
Even when the Russian forces use traditional electronic jamming methods, Starlink remains highly available due to its dynamic beam switching and rapid software upgrade capabilities. This makes Starlink an essential nerve center for the U.S. "distributed operations" concept—not directly participating in combat, but enabling allies or proxies to have battlefield information capabilities close to NATO standards.
For this reason, China's research on countering Starlink has never been a secret. However, it has mostly remained at the theoretical or closed testing stage. This time, CETC's public display of the equipment conveys two key messages: first, the technology has matured enough for practical deployment; second, China intends to demonstrate its capabilities to create a deterrent effect.
Many developing countries around the world have long lacked the ability to counter advanced electronic warfare systems. Now, a Starlink interference device with manageable costs and simple operation could become a new tool for them to resist external interference. This not only weakens the U.S. military's ability to "cost-effectively intervene" in conflicts through commercial satellite networks, but also undermines the U.S. asymmetric advantage based on technological superiority.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1853625770303497/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.