Secure communication is essential in any combat scenario. An oversight by one of the parties can be exploited to intercept messages and thus gain an advantage in the conflict, so special attention is usually paid to this aspect. In the event of war in Ukraine, the US government continues to be in regular contact with the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky. secure satellite phone. It is a device with military-grade encryption that few people have access to.

According to CNN, before the war broke out, most secure communications between Ukraine and the United States passed through the American country’s embassy in Kiev. But intelligence reports indicated that Russia was getting close to launching an invasion, so Washington ordered the evacuation of non-essential personnel from its embassy and sent several secure phone calls to maintain contact. One for President Zelensky and one for foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba.

Iridium 9575A, America’s safe phone

The United States government did not provide details on the shipment of these phones, presumably for security reasons, so it was not revealed which model was working on Ukrainian soil. However, secure satellite telephone communications from Washington, Iridium 9575AIt’s a device specifically designed for this purpose with “military-grade durability and secure NSA type 1 encryption”, so it looks like Zelensky got one of these pieces of equipment.

Although it is a technologically advanced device, its qualities do not lie in the possibility of making video calls or connecting to new communication networks. Its functions are extremely few, but it is safe. Everything the device offers guarantees “military-grade security”. However, according to the aforementioned media, it took the Ukrainians several days to get them operational. The delay was due to the fact that the operating instructions were in English, not Ukrainian.

first we meet NSA certified protection for classified voice and data communication. This feature can only be enabled by the United States Space Force. As General Dymamics explains, this requires Security Module 2 (ISM2), an encryption module installed inside the Iridium 9575A phone that provides end-to-end security for highly confidential information.

In addition, we have real-time voice calls and the ability to send e-mail and SMS messages. According to the manufacturer, all of this is delivered via a satellite link that provides “around the world” coverage thanks to the 66 Iridium satellites operating in low Earth orbit (LEO).

Iridium 9575A also has other features such as: monochrome screenbacklit keyboard, battery that can last up to 5 hours on calls and 24 hours on standby, GPS, 100-contact phone book and one-touch programmable SOS system that provides 24/7 emergency assistance.

And of course, it is also very durable. The keyboard can operate in the harshest conditions, is IP65 certified (full dust ingress, low pressure water jets from all directions) and is US Armed Forces specific MIL-STD-810 certified, validating battlefield use.

Pictures | Iridium | Volodymyr Zelensky (Twitter)

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