The Portuguese Air Force (FAP) has signed a contract with Finnish synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite specialist ICEYE to directly procure one of its satellites, ICEYE announced on 2 December 2025.
It will be the first satellite to be entirely owned by the FAP and the second to be operated by the force; the first was acquired on 12 June 2025 when CTI Aeroespacial, a Portuguese technology and innovation centre, signed an agreement with ICEYE for the procurement of a SAR satellite to be operated by the FAP.
ICEYE’s SAR technology significantly advances Portugal’s national space-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, providing all-weather, day-and-night imaging and rapid revisit rates and ensuring persistent and reliable monitoring regardless of environmental conditions.
The SAR satellite acquisition will provide the FAP with enhanced capabilities for persistent surveillance, situational awareness and national security, supporting Portugal’s broader ambitions in space and defence modernisation. Direct satellite ownership will empower the FAP with full control and flexibility over data acquisition and mission planning, enabling rapid response to military missions, maritime security challenges, environmental monitoring and the safeguarding of national interests, including the protection of Portugal’s Economic Exclusive Zone (EEZ) and natural resources.
“This is a historic moment for Portugal in general and for the Portuguese Air Force in particular,” FAP Chief of Staff General João Cartaxo Alves was quoted as saying in an ICEYE press release. “By acquiring its own capabilities to operate in space, the air force enters a new dimension, where space has replaced the sky as the new operational frontier. This technological innovation strengthens the autonomous capacity of the air force to ensure permanent surveillance of the national territory – on land, at sea, and in the air – under any weather conditions. It will enhance the air force’s ability to conduct military operations with greater precision and effectiveness, while also supporting emergency management and the sustainable use of resources.”
Jordi Laguarda, ICEYE’s vice president for missions in Spain and Portugal, added, “This agreement represents a major step forward in strengthening Portugal’s sovereign space capabilities and demonstrates the air force’s commitment to innovation and operational excellence. We are proud to support the Portuguese Air Force as they advance their mission in the new space domain.”
