On Monday, September 8, 2025, ICEYE, the Polish-Finnish company and a leading provider of Earth-observation satellites equipped with synthetic-aperture radar (SAR)—announced that it had signed a contract for the purchase of SAR satellites by the Finnish Defense Forces. The decision to procure the satellites follows a Letter of Intent signed on June 27 of this year with the Finnish Ministry of Defense and will significantly strengthen the Finnish Defense Forces’ reconnaissance capabilities in the space domain (the Finnish Ministry of Defense selected ICEYE to provide space-based intelligence).
Gen. Ylitalo of the Finnish Defense Forces and Seppo Aaltonen, ICEYE’s Vice President for Nordic Countries and NATO, during the contract-signing ceremony / Photo: ICEYE
The contract was signed in Tampere, Finland, by Brigadier General (Eng.) Juha-Matti Ylitalo, Deputy Director of the Logistics Command of the Finnish Defense Forces, and Seppo Aaltonen, ICEYE’s Vice President for Nordic Countries and NATO.
The purchase includes ICEYE SAR satellites as well as the systems and equipment necessary to establish sovereign space-based reconnaissance capabilities for the Finnish Defense Forces. ICEYE satellites provide a unique ability to deliver high-resolution imagery and data regardless of weather conditions or time of day, which is a key advantage in maintaining situational awareness.
Pekka Laurila, ICEYE co-founder and CSO, stated:
“This agreement is a testament to the trust and shared vision between ICEYE and the Finnish Defence Forces. It marks a pivotal moment, transitioning from intent to a tangible commitment that will equip Finland with a sovereign, space-based intelligence capability. We are proud to provide the technology that will not only secure Finland’s position as a leader in this critical domain but also form the foundation for a long-term partnership that will enhance the collective security of its allies.”
The total value of the contract is approximately 158 million EUR. This amount covers the main portion of the order as well as provisions for extending the satellites’ service life and expanding the system in the future.
This initiative strengthens ICEYE’s offering for defense-sector customers and supports the company’s goal of becoming a primary provider of key ISR infrastructure for allied nations. With the world’s largest constellation of SAR satellites, ICEYE provides unlimited global access and the highest revisit frequency on the market. ICEYE’s SAR satellites offer resolution down to 25 cm, enabling precise object detection and situational monitoring in all weather and lighting conditions. To date, ICEYE has launched 54 satellites for its own needs and those of its customers (Six new satellites for ICEYE and its customers launched aboard the Transporter-14 rideshare mission).
It is also worth noting that on November 20, 2024, ICEYE announced that it would become the leader of an industrial consortium under the Finnish Ministry of Defense’s F-35 Industrial Participation program. The consortium will develop advanced space technologies as well as intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities for military users such as the Finnish Defense Forces.
Based on a press release
ICEYE has signed a contract with the Finnish Defence Forces @Puolustusvoimat for the procurement of SAR satellites. This milestone strengthens Finland’s sovereign space-based intelligence & surveillance capabilities.
Read more: https://t.co/1Mtc8uMCx9. pic.twitter.com/sh3AgUkzQp
— ICEYE (@iceye_global) September 8, 2025