Finland conducts major civil defense drills as US Army tests Starlink in desert

In Finland, over 2,000 participants took part in the Shelter 2026 civil defense exercises in Kuopio. The drill simulated a major crisis involving cyberattacks that disrupt electricity and water supplies, alongside potential missile threats. The exercise aimed to test coordination between local authorities, emergency services, schools, and businesses. A central component was the Luola rock complex, which can serve as a shelter for approximately 7,000 people during emergencies.

Separately, during the US Army’s Project Convergence Capstone 6 in the Mojave Desert, Starlink terminals experienced overheating issues due to extreme temperatures reaching 41°C (106°F). To prevent data transmission limits, soldiers used wet t-shirts placed over the antennas to cool the equipment. The testing was part of the Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) initiative, which evaluates commercial technologies like Starlink for military integration.