On November 11, 2024, the Finnish imagery satellite operator ICEYE and the German arms company Rheinmetall announced the supply of new Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite images to Ukraine forces.
The deployment of these new reconnaissance capabilities marks the first operational step in the collaboration between the German company and ICEYE, initiated last summer and formalized with a contract in September 2024.
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New capabilities
The collaboration between the Finnish company and Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense began in 2022, shortly after the Russian full-scale invasion of the country. ICEYE transferred the full capabilities of one of its SAR satellites in orbit to the Government of Ukraine for the enhancement of critical recognizance imagery capabilities. The deal was made possible through a contract signed with the Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation.
In July 2024, a Memorandum of Cooperation strengthened this partnership and ensured that the satellite imagery captured was only used to ensure the defense of the Ukrainian territory and not shared with hostile entities.
In June, Rheinmetall announced its participation in ICEYE’s SAR satellite constellation, the world’s largest. The German defense company aims to integrate advanced SAR technology into its next-generation battlefield systems, bringing advantages in terms of surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance to the armed forces in the war zones.
Two months later, the two companies signed a contract, supported by the German government, to increase Ukraine’s access to SAR data. In particular, the new collaboration allows the use of the entire ICEYE satellite fleet capacity. Since early October, these new capabilities have been available to the Ukrainian government, enhancing the decision-making and operational planning of its armed forces.
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Rheinmetall’s growing role
Rheinmetall’s significant involvement in satellite imagery is a further signal of the company’s expansion in supporting the growing rearmament and modernization of Europe’s defense sector, as well as its increasing role in enhancing Ukraine’s short- and long-term capabilities.
The German company is one of the most engaged in supplying arms to Ukrainian forces and is also leading in developing of an industrial know-how within the country. Recently, Rheinmetall opened a facility for vehicle repair and preparation, and in the coming years, it plans to open an ammunition factory.
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ICEYE’s technology
ICEYE is a global leader in the SAR imagery market, currently operating the world’s largest constellation in orbit, consisting of 38 satellites. The Syntethic Aperture Radar technology brings great benefit, compared with optical satellite imagery. These satellites can deliver high-resolution images regardless of lightening or weather condition.
Thus the company provides critical data with great flexibility for a wide range of requirements, including security applications, maritime activities, port monitoring, and environmental changes on land and in the seas.
Liftoff of Transporter-11! pic.twitter.com/R7UoMknxRk
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) August 16, 2024
ICEYE launched its latest four small satellites abrod SpaceX’s Transporter-11 rideshare mission on August 16, and plans to launch seven more by the end of 2024. From 2025 the company targets 15 annual deployments.
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