ICEYE and Nokia to work with Ukraine on sovereign satellite communications system

Finnish company ICEYE and Nokia have signed a letter of intent with Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence to explore cooperation in the space sector. The parties will examine the possibility of developing a sovereign satellite communications network for Ukraine.

According to the announcement, the project involves secure broadband communications via low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. The system is intended to provide connectivity for defence purposes and critical government services, particularly when terrestrial infrastructure is compromised or disrupted.

The partners intend to build the system using European technology, ensuring state control over the satellite fleet, ground infrastructure, and user terminals. The companies view the network as a complement to existing military and commercial communications systems.

ICEYE CEO and co-founder Rafal Modrzewski stated that Ukraine requires secure, sovereign satellite communications under its own control. He also stressed that the company has supported Ukraine since 2022 and intends to continue doing so.

ICEYE already collaborates with Ukraine in space-based intelligence, providing imagery from synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites. However, this new initiative focuses on a distinct domain: developing satellite communications infrastructure.

The parties have not disclosed the budget for the Ukrainian project, the number of satellites involved, or the deployment timeline. It also remains unclear whether the collaboration will entail establishing a dedicated satellite constellation for Ukraine.

In early October, ICEYE and Nokia announced a partnership to develop satellite communications networks for government clients. The first satellites under the joint initiative are scheduled for launch in 2028, though no specific timeline has been disclosed for the development or deployment of a system tailored for Ukraine.

Ukraine currently relies on Starlink satellite communications provided by US company SpaceX, alongside its military-grade variant, Starshield. In October, the provider introduced restrictions that sever drone connectivity at speeds exceeding 160 km/h.