NATO has awarded a contract to Finnish Earth observation company ICEYE to supply Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data to its Situation Centre in Brussels.
Founded in 2014, ICEYE operates the world’s largest constellation of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites. With more than 40 satellites in orbit, the company provides near real-time insights in virtually all weather conditions.
On 28 March, ICEYE announced it had signed an agreement with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to provide SAR data to its Situation Centre (SITCEN), which delivers real-time intelligence to senior decision-makers and coordinates with NATO and international command centres. The official press release announcing the agreement offered few details, including no mention of the contract’s duration or total expected value.
“We are proud of the opportunity to cooperate and support NATO users and decision-makers with data from the world’s largest SAR satellite constellation,” said ICEYE Chief Strategy Officer Pekka Laurila.
The contract with NATO adds to a growing list of defence customers secured by the Finnish Earth observation company. In March, ICEYE signed a deal with Saab to integrate its SAR data into the defence giant’s command and control systems. In late 2024, the company signed contracts with German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall to provide SAR data to Ukraine on behalf of the German government, as well as a separate agreement with the Finnish government as part of its F-35 Industrial Participation Programme.
ICEYE’s growing role in the defence sector saw its 35-year-old CEO, Rafal Modrzewski, take part in a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during his visit to Finland in mid-March. According to an ICEYE update, the talks at the Presidential Palace focused on Finland’s support for Ukraine. The NATO agreement further cements ICEYE’s growing significance in the European defence space.
