In a significant development aimed at enhancing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities across the Arctic region and NATO’s northeastern flank, ICEYE and the Swedish Space Corporation (SSC) have entered into a Letter of Intent. This strategic agreement was formalized at the NATO Arctic Space Forum held in Helsinki.
The collaboration seeks to merge ICEYE’s expertise in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites with SSC’s comprehensive global ground station network and orbital launch capabilities. This combination of strengths is expected to facilitate advanced mission development, satellite operations, and launch services, ultimately reinforcing the surveillance capabilities of sovereign nations and allied forces.
Pekka Laurila, the Chief Strategy Officer at ICEYE, highlighted the objectives of this partnership, stating that it is designed to deliver reliable ISR solutions beneficial to both NATO and Nordic security. This initiative underscores a growing emphasis on enhancing defense and security measures in regions of strategic importance.
The announcement follows Finland’s notable investment in September 2025, involving a €158 million ($182 million) program to procure ICEYE SAR satellites. This acquisition marks a pivotal step toward establishing independent space-based surveillance capabilities, reflecting a broader trend among Nordic nations to bolster their defense assets in response to evolving security challenges.
In parallel to this agreement, NATO and its member countries have been actively enhancing their space-based defense strategies. For instance, in September 2025, Norway initiated a partnership with Surrey Satellite Technology to create a satellite constellation aimed at improving maritime domain awareness, a move that complements Finland’s SAR assets.
Sweden is also making strides in this domain, investing in next-generation small satellites dedicated to Arctic surveillance. These assets are being integrated into NATO exercises, which aim to enhance situational awareness in a politically sensitive region.
Furthermore, NATO’s Allied Air Command has been developing a coordinated SAR network to facilitate real-time intelligence sharing among member states. In October 2025, Denmark announced a collaboration with Airbus Defence and Space, focused on delivering high-resolution optical and radar imagery that will work seamlessly with Finland’s SAR satellites.
Together, these initiatives highlight a commitment among Nordic countries and NATO to bolster their defense frameworks through enhanced space-based capabilities, paving the way for improved cooperation and situational awareness in the face of emerging security threats.
