On 22 October Nokia and ICEYE signed a letter of intent with the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine regarding cooperation in the space sector and the development of a secure satellite communications system. For now this is an agreement on a future project, not a contract for the construction and launch of satellites.
Partnership and project objectives
Nokia and ICEYE have agreed to develop broadband protected satellite communications systems in low Earth orbit for government and defence needs. The system is also intended for border protection, emergency response and disaster relief.
The developers emphasise the capability for the state to own and operate the satellites, the ground infrastructure and the user terminals themselves. The idea is to reduce dependence on the operating conditions of a foreign commercial operator.
Why Ukraine needs its own system
Rafal Modrzewski, chief executive and co‑founder of ICEYE, said: “Ukraine needs protected, sovereign and high‑performance satellite communications systems that it controls.” He also reminded that ICEYE has supported Ukraine since 2022 and has experience rapidly building satellite capabilities for states.
The companies noted that the new system is intended to complement existing military and commercial networks, not fully replace them. It is designed to offer high throughput and low latency with the ability to provide connectivity in designated areas where the state requires it.
Control over infrastructure and the role of satellite networks
A key feature of the project is a model under which the state would be able to own and operate the entire system, including ground infrastructure and terminals. The developers believe this will ensure reliable communications for the military even if ground networks are damaged.
“Satellite networks extend and protect communications when ground networks are disrupted. That makes them a key part of any protected communications system,” said Mikko Hautala, head of geopolitics and government engagement at Nokia and head of Nokia Defense.
Timeline and ICEYE’s experience
According to the plan announced on 1 October, the first satellites of the joint Nokia and ICEYE system are expected in orbit in 2028. The companies still need to work out the format of Ukraine’s participation and the specific terms of cooperation.
ICEYE already has experience creating sovereign satellite surveillance systems: the company developed the ICEYE radar satellite, purchased for Ukraine with funds from the Serhiy Prytula charitable foundation. These synthetic‑aperture radar (SAR) satellites make it possible to obtain images at night and through cloud cover for reconnaissance and battlefield monitoring.
