Finnish synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite operations specialist ICEYE has signed a new agreement with the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence (MoD) to significantly expand its provision of space-based intelligence, the company announced on 19 January 2026.
Building on ICEYE’s continued support for Ukraine since it was invaded by Russia in 2022, the agreement ensures that the MoD continues to receive a high volume of high-resolution satellite imagery through ICEYE’s SAR constellation, supporting the Ukrainian armed forces with persistent situational awareness on tactical timelines.
“Ukraine has demonstrated that space-based intelligence is not only a strategic asset; it is a tactical tool that influences decisions on operational timelines,” ICEYE stated in a press release. “With expanded access to ICEYE data, Ukraine can gain a faster and more accurate understanding of change on the ground, reducing uncertainty when minutes matter. This agreement leverages ICEYE investments in the short timelines necessary for tactical support.”
ICEYE, as the operator of the world’s largest SAR satellite constellation, can deliver high-resolution imagery (to 16 cm) from its Generation 4 satellites and large-footprint modes such as Scan Wide, which covers areas of 200×300 km. Additionally, ICEYE’s electronic beam-steering technology enables dozens of high-resolution scenes to be captured in only minutes of satellite imaging time.
“ICEYE is proud and humbled to have supported Ukraine’s defence teams with reliable, near-real-time space-based intelligence since the beginning of the invasion,” John Cartwright, senior vice president of data product at ICEYE, was quoted as saying in a company press release. “Today’s operational environment makes one thing clear: space is no longer only a strategic domain; it is a tactical layer of defence. That requires space-based intelligence that can be acted on in near real time, day or night, in any weather.
“This agreement strengthens assured access to our high-resolution SAR imagery, helping Ukraine make decisions faster and with greater confidence,” Cartwright added. “ICEYE stands firmly with Ukraine in the face of these hostilities, and is deeply committed to strengthening Europe’s security more widely by ensuring our allies have the best decision-ready data when they need it most.”
