HAPS a cheaper and more flexible way to replace satellites.

High-altitude platform station - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

High Altitude Pseudo Satellites (or Platform Stations) can provide surveillance and/or (much needed) bandwith for battlefield communications. and come in many shapes

Zephyr S High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS) - Airforce Technology

The Zephyr S next-generation High-Altitude Pseudo Satellite (HAPS) is a new variant of the Zephyr family of unmanned aerial vehicles…

Airforce Technology

for more info on military applications : HAPS White paper