Finnish Earth observation data provider ICEYE has secured agreements with three European defence customers within a two-week period.
Founded in 2014, ICEYE provides all-weather, day-and-night imaging via a constellation of synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) satellites for a range of applications. The company currently operates 54 SAR satellites, having most recently added six more aboard a SpaceX rideshare mission on 24 June.
On 13 June, the company signed an agreement with the Portuguese Air Force to provide a single ICEYE SAR satellite and the associated ground segment. Once launched, the satellite will become part of Portugal’s contribution to the Atlantic Constellation. Conceived as a joint initiative between Spain and Portugal, the Atlantic Constellation was originally planned as a 16-satellite network, with each country committing €40 million to its development. In late 2023, the United Kingdom joined the programme, pledging £3 million to fund an additional satellite.
While ICEYE will provide only a single satellite under the agreement with the Portuguese Air Force, both parties are discussing the possibility of supplying additional spacecraft in the future.
ICEYE announced the second of the three contracts on 23 June, with the Royal Netherlands Air Force selecting the company to provide intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance solutions. According to an ICEYE press release, the company will deliver four SAR satellites, a local ground segment and antenna, and a mobile ground station featuring an autonomous imagery intelligence hub. The agreement also includes access to data collected from ICEYE’s existing constellation.
On 24 June, the company announced an agreement with NATO to provide SAR data in support of the Alliance Persistent Surveillance from Space (APSS) initiative. The multi-year agreement will enable NATO Allied Command Operations to access data collected from ICEYE’s existing satellite constellation.
While not yet a formal procurement contract, ICEYE announced a fourth agreement on 27 June, signing a letter of intent with the Finnish Ministry of Defence aimed at developing the country’s space-based intelligence and surveillance capabilities. It outlines a preliminary delivery plan and timeline for the potential acquisition of satellites to support this objective.
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