Is SpaceX entering the UAV market?

Amidst ongoing global instability and threats to the economic assets owned by billionaire Elon Musk, experts suggest that the world's richest man may consider cooperating with Ukraine in drone defense – one of the most dangerous and versatile weapons on the modern battlefield.

The Peklo UAV is widely used by Ukraine on the battlefield. Photo: AP

Last week, Fars News Agency, which is linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, issued a warning that Musk's entire business empire in the Middle East could be targeted for military action in retaliation against the US and Israel.

The statement targeted not only the thousands of Starlink internet satellite terminals scattered across the region, but also the ground stations of the space technology corporation SpaceX or any organization belonging to the artificial intelligence startup xAI or the social networking platform X controlled by Mr. Musk.

Previously, U.S. intelligence indicated that Russia was secretly providing its Iranian partners with the locations of radar systems, aerospace equipment, fighter jets, troops, and warships that the Pentagon deployed throughout the Middle East. Therefore, many predicted that Moscow might expand its intelligence support to include SpaceX or Starlink-related infrastructure in the region.

You may also like

President Trump's proposed budget for the Iran campaign faces obstacles.The request for nearly $88 billion in additional funding for the military campaign in Iran and to bolster defense capabilities is facing significant obstacles in the U.S. Senate.

Digital library about the natural worldThe Biodiversity Heritage Library – an online archive bringing together resources contributed by hundreds of leading museums and universities worldwide – is becoming a treasure trove of natural knowledge with over 64 million pages of scientific documents.

Former Israeli prime minister admits to secretly smuggling tens of thousands of Starlink devices into Iran.TPO - A former Israeli prime minister has admitted that his country secretly smuggled Starlink internet signal receivers into Iran to support anti-government protesters.

Russia is currently deploying significant resources to disrupt the Starlink satellite communications system across Ukraine. In an article published on X, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned of the possibility of Moscow cooperating with Iran to develop bomb-carrying UAVs to attack Israeli, American, and Arab outposts, thereby turning the region into a second front in the war against Kyiv and the West.

Since the conflict erupted in 2022, Ukraine has emerged as a country with considerable experience in UAV warfare. In April, President Zelensky stated that more than 200 Ukrainian military experts had been deployed to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, and Kuwait to assist in defending Middle Eastern outposts against Iranian-made Shahed UAVs. The Ukrainian leader said the country is now capable of producing at least 2,000 interceptor drones daily. Kyiv needs half of these for defensive purposes, with the remainder potentially being transferred to partners and allies.

In the event that Iran begins targeting SpaceX, Starlink terminals, or other related infrastructure in the Middle East, Ukraine's inexpensive missile interceptor systems and UAVs could be the perfect countermeasure.

In the near future, SpaceX is likely to push for the large-scale deployment of Ukrainian UAVs and interceptor missiles to protect their facilities across the Gulf region. In the long term, this company, with a market capitalization of over $2.5 trillion, is predicted to collaborate with Kyiv to jointly develop next-generation UAVs and interceptor missiles.

With world- leading expertise in aerospace engineering, AI-enhanced autonomous operations, and large-scale manufacturing capabilities, SpaceX has the potential to dominate the defensive UAV market. Leveraging existing relationships with governments, militaries, and strategic customers through Starlink, Starshield, satellite launch services, and numerous national security space activities, SpaceX can expand its penetration into the lethal UAV market, autonomous defense systems, and even military robotics—markets many defense startups lack.

United States - Vietnam: Don't miss

Vietnam and the United States strengthen cooperation in addressing the consequences of war.VTV.vn - On June 22, General Secretary and President To Lam received Acting Secretary of the US Navy Hung Cao.

General Secretary and President To Lam receives Acting Secretary of the Navy of the United States.On June 22, 2026, in Hanoi, General Secretary and President To Lam received Acting Secretary of the U.S. Navy Hung Cao.

The General Secretary and President of Vietnam receive the Acting Secretary of the Navy of the United States.On June 22, 2026, in Hanoi, General Secretary and President To Lam received Acting Secretary of the U.S. Navy Hung Cao.

MAI QUYEN (According to Forbes, CNBC News)

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/spacex-chen-chan-vao-linh-vuc-uav-a207426.html