Italy Rome in talks with Musk company over billion-dollar deal
Italy's right-wing government under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is in talks with US billionaire Elon Musk's SpaceX company about a billion-dollar deal - but according to official information, nothing has been decided yet.
06.01.2025, 16:29
SDA
According to a report by the financial agency Bloomberg News, the deal involves a specially protected satellite communication system worth 1.5 billion euros. The opposition expressed outrage because Meloni and Musk have a friendly relationship.
The richest man in the world, according to estimates, was definitely interested in the deal. Through his Italian representative Andrea Stroppa, he declared: "We are ready to offer Italy the safest and most advanced connection!" Meloni confirmed through her office that there were talks with SpaceX about secure connections with encrypted data, as with other companies. However, she denied that any contracts or agreements had already been concluded - which no one had claimed.
Meloni just visited Trump
At the same time, her office described reports that such a deal had also been the subject of a lightning visit by Meloni to future US President Donald Trump in Florida at the weekend as "simply ridiculous". Musk was not spotted; he has been a frequent visitor to the Republican's estate since Trump's election victory in November.
Social Democratic opposition leader Elly Schlein declared Meloni's statement inadequate and demanded information before parliament. "If 1.5 billion euros from the Italians for the satellites of an American billionaire is the price for his friendship, we are not prepared to pay it," Schlein declared. "Italy is not for sale."
Agency: Green light from intelligence services and Ministry of Defense
According to Bloomberg, negotiations on the project are already at an advanced stage. Italy's secret services and the Ministry of Defense in Rome have already agreed to the five-year project, the agency reported without naming a more precise source.
The resignation of Italian intelligence chief Elisabetta Belloni caused an additional stir in Rome on Monday. There is speculation that the sudden departure could be due to differences of opinion between Belloni and Meloni over SpaceX. There was initially no comment from the company itself.
Bloomberg: Satellite services for the government and army
According to the report, SpaceX is to provide telephone and internet services via its satellites, which can be used by the Italian government and the army for encrypted communication. Satellites should also be available for emergencies such as terrorist attacks or natural disasters.
Musk is now an official advisor to former US President Trump, who returns to the White House on January 20. He has maintained a friendly relationship with Meloni for a long time, which is why such a deal would be particularly sensitive.
