Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni confirmed Thursday that her government is in discussions with several private companies, including Elon Musk’s SpaceX, regarding the country’s telecom security system. However, Meloni firmly denied engaging in private conversations with Musk on the matter.
“I have never discussed this with Musk. It’s not my habit to use my public office for personal favors,” Meloni stated during her press conference at the beginning of the year, addressing questions about a potential deal with Musk’s SpaceX concerning Italy’s telecom security.
The Italian Premier emphasized that the national interest was the sole consideration guiding any possible agreements with private companies, including SpaceX, the owner of the Starlink satellite system.
The proposed project, reportedly valued at 1.5 billion euros ($1.6 billion) over five years, has generated controversy among Italy’s opposition parties, who have raised concerns about entrusting critical communications infrastructure to a company owned by Musk. If finalized, the deal would see SpaceX provide encryption services for the Italian government and military, as well as communication infrastructure for emergency services.
Earlier this week, Meloni dismissed claims of a deal with Musk, noting that no such agreement was discussed during her recent meeting with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in Mar-a-Lago. A government statement went so far as to “categorically” deny any such conversation took place.
Meloni defended the potential collaboration, explaining that “SpaceX enables highly sensitive information to be securely communicated at a diplomatic and military level.” She clarified that the government’s talks were ongoing, still in an “investigative” phase, and that no contracts had been finalized.
She also acknowledged that while there were no public alternatives for such technology, the government’s responsibility was to ensure the protection of sensitive data, even if it meant relying on private companies. “The alternative is not having these data protected,” she said. “If, one day, sensitive data ends up in the wrong hands, the government would be accountable.”
Meloni suggested that the controversy surrounding the deal might be linked to the political views of Musk rather than the private investments involved. “Is the issue related to private investments or to the political views of the investors?” she questioned.
Musk, a known ally of former U.S. President Donald Trump, expressed his enthusiasm for the potential partnership on social media, stating that his company was “ready to provide Italy the most secure and advanced connectivity.” Starlink, which has been operational in Italy since 2021, could expand its services to include emergency operations in cases of disasters or terrorist attacks. Musk’s company is also working on a separate project for defense and sensitive operations, named Starshield.
Experts in the security field have highlighted the growing sensitivity surrounding partnerships between European nations and SpaceX, a company whose success has put pressure on Europe’s satellite and telecom industries.
