German and Finnish defense firms join forces to develop space-based SAR satellite system for Ukraine

Europe, News November 13, 2024 , by IRIA No Comments

3 minute read

German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall and Finnish microsatellite provider ICEYE signed a collaboration agreement that would bolster Ukraine’s surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.

The cooperative venture, sponsored by the German government, aims to supply Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite imagery to Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense.

The cutting-edge satellite data is expected to provide Ukraine with a strategic edge in operational planning, offering high-resolution, weather-independent insights that could prove decisive on the battlefield.

SAR technology offers distinct advantages over conventional satellites. Unlike optical imaging, which is affected by weather and limited to daytime use, SAR systems can produce detailed, high-resolution images regardless of atmospheric conditions or time of day.

#Rheinmetall and @ICEYEfi cooperate to provide #Ukraine 🇺🇦 with satellite imagery on behalf of the #German 🇩🇪 government https://t.co/BZtOx79zNs pic.twitter.com/WB5vozoZRu
— Rheinmetall (@RheinmetallAG) November 11, 2024

These radar-based images are generated as the SAR satellite moves over targeted areas, utilizing motion to capture fine details. As a result, SAR systems can reveal even small objects, giving military personnel enhanced capabilities in surveillance, reconnaissance, and target acquisition.

“The SAR satellite generates high-resolution images enabling the identification of even the smallest objects on the earth’s surface, regardless of weather conditions or the time of day,” noted a joint press release by the two companies detailing the capabilities SAR technology offers to Ukraine’s armed forces. “This capability provides advantages in surveillance, target acquisition, reconnaissance, and battlefield positioning for the military.”

Rheinmetall and ICEYE first established a partnership in June 2024, seeking to utilize space-based intelligence for military purposes. This partnership intensified in September 2024 when Rheinmetall secured exclusive distribution rights for ICEYE’s SAR data to military and government users in Germany and Hungary.

Rheinmetall’s goal of integrating ICEYE’s capabilities into next-generation battlefield systems demonstrates a strong commitment to advancing modern warfare tools in Europe and potentially beyond.

*^{Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology. (Image Credit: ICEYE)}*

The recent agreement between the two companies includes provisions for dedicated satellite capacity and access to ICEYE’s full satellite capabilities. As part of the contract, ICEYE will also supplement Kyiv’s intelligence arsenal with additional reconnaissance data gathered from other sensor-equipped satellites, further supporting Ukraine’s military planning and decision-making processes.

ICEYE’s support for Ukraine’s defense

ICEYE’s partnership with Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense has been ongoing since the start of the conflict. Initially, ICEYE was awarded a contract by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense to provide radar satellite imagery focused on critical locations in Ukraine. This satellite imagery has played an instrumental role in Ukraine’s response to Russian advances, supplying detailed reconnaissance data crucial for strategic military decisions.

Oleksandra Ustinova, head of Ukraine’s Parliamentary Commission on Arms, previously lauded ICEYE for its commitment to Ukraine, stating, “I plead with all satellite companies to follow ICEYE’s lead in not selling imagery to Russia… We are grateful that they are taking the technological lead within the industry to help protect Ukraine from Russian aggression.”

By providing Ukraine with actionable intelligence, European defense companies like ICEYE and Rheinmetall are helping to shape a new model of defense support for Kyiv, where technological prowess and international cooperation might help to redefine the battlefield landscape.