Musk announces Starlink expansion in Saudi Arabia for ships and planes

During the Saudi Arabia-US Investment Forum in Riyadh, Elon Musk announced that Saudi Arabia has officially approved the use of Starlink for aviation and maritime applications. The expansion of SpaceX's satellite internet service marks a key advancement in the Kingdom's connectivity and aligns with the technology agreements signed during President Trump's visit. The announcement comes as Starlink continues to expand its coverage across the Middle East. This move positions Saudi Arabia as a leading regional developer of digital aerospace infrastructure.

Internet between the clouds and the waves

SpaceX's satellite internet system, Starlink, has received Green light to operate in key sectors of Saudi aviation and shipping, expanding connectivity on aircraft, commercial ships, and private vessels crossing the kingdom's airspace and waters. Elon Musk celebrated the announcement as part of a global expansion strategy, highlighting Starlink's ability to deliver high-speed internet even in remote locations where terrestrial networks cannot reach.

Saudi Arabia thus joins other Middle Eastern countries such as Jordan, Oman, Qatar and Yemen, where Starlink has already begun successful operations. The Saudi permit strengthens the service's presence in a strategic region due to both its air traffic density and international maritime routes.

This approval is also in line with the national technology strategy of the kingdom, which seeks to modernize its transportation, defense and telecommunications systems as part of the Vision 2030, the country's ambitious economic transformation plan.

Digital investment between Trump and Musk

Musk's announcement coincided with the President Donald Trump's official visit to Saudi Arabia, in what was his first trip to the Middle East during his second termThe visit included the signing of technological and defense cooperation agreements totaling 142 one billion dollars, positioning the country as an emerging center for American innovation in the region.

Musk, who led several private presentations during the forum, publicly thanked the Saudi government for its “bold vision in digital infrastructure”, highlighting that Starlink could be a centerpiece in the kingdom's plans to modernize their transportation networks, connect remote oil platforms, and strengthen air defense operations.

Starlink hardware, which has recently begun to be offered for free outside the United States to attract international subscribers, could have a Rapid adoption in strategic Saudi sectors, including private aviation, luxury tourism and naval logistics.

Robotaxis, Cybercabs, and the Autonomous Future

Starlink's deployment in Saudi Arabia wasn't Musk's only announcement during the forum. He also confirmed for the first time that Tesla's Robotaxi platform will arrive in the country, aligning with the goals of the kingdom of electrify 30% of Riyadh's vehicles by 2030.

Tesla's entry into Saudi Arabia was formalized in April 2025 with an event at Bujairi Terrace, where the Cybercab, the humanoid robot Optimus and the company's portfolio of electric vehicles. Musk stated that robotaxis would be “Robots on wheels ready to change urban mobility”, which reinforces the country's vision of becoming a leader in autonomous mobility innovation in the Middle East.

This deployment could be strategically combined with Starlink to provide constant connectivity to autonomous fleets, even outside urban areas. The plan is for these vehicles to not only communicate with central servers, but also interact with each other in real time using satellite networks.

Robots, mountains and strategic demonstrations

Another highlight of the forum was the Private demonstration of Tesla's Optimus humanoid robots, conducted by Musk for President Trump and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. In a nod to the former president's personality, the robots performed the now-famous "Trump dance” to the rhythm of YMCA, although reports suggest that the choreography was teleoperated and not completely autonomous.

This exhibition, more theatrical than technical, It served to showcase the potential of Tesla's robotics as an economic, diplomatic, and media tool. Musk assured that Tesla plans to manufacture “at least 5.000 Optimus units by 2025”, with the goal of multiplying that figure by ten the following year, which would open up opportunities for logistical, industrial and hospital uses within the kingdom.

Collaboration with Saudi Arabia is emerging as a gateway for Tesla to a new market and a way to balance sales challenges in saturated markets like Europe and the US.

A digital bridge between the West and the Middle East

Starlink approval in Saudi Arabia for maritime and aviation applications represents much more than a technical advance: is a symbol of how global connectivity is being redefined through space infrastructure. With the backing of figures like Trump and the direct involvement of Musk, The relationship between Silicon Valley and Riyadh is becoming a global strategic axis..

Saudi Arabia wants to stop depending on oil and become a technological power of the 21st centuryAnd it seems Elon Musk wants to be the one to provide the antenna, the car, the robot… and now, the satellite too.