Defense Forces to receive high-resolution battlefield images from SAR satellites – Ministry of Defense contract with Rheinmetall and ICEYE

This year, Ukraine will gain significantly more high-resolution space imagery from SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) satellites. Military command will be able to designate specific areas for imaging based on combat intensity.

This capability is supported by the German government. As part of this collaboration, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, German industrial giant Rheinmetall, and international SAR satellite company ICEYE have signed a contract for using satellite data to support Ukraine’s defense needs.

SAR satellites can generate ultra-high-resolution images regardless of weather conditions or time of day. This will help the Ukrainian Defense Forces enhance their situational awareness on the battlefield and make more effective operational decisions. The military will have access to the data from ICEYE's entire satellite constellation.

“Innovative technology is a key tool that helps Ukraine defend effectively against russian aggression, enabling an asymmetric advantage over the enemy. I am convinced that the use of innovative SAR satellites will significantly boost the Ukrainian defense forces' effectiveness across both combat and non-combat missions,” stated Deputy Minister of Defense for Digitalization, Kateryna Chernohorenko.

ICEYE is working closely with the Ministry of Defense to support Ukraine in building its space-based defense capabilities. In August 2022, the company signed a contract with the Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation, enabling satellite imaging from one of its satellites. In July 2024, ICEYE and the Ministry of Defense signed a memorandum of cooperation outlining a partnership to strengthen Ukraine’s space capabilities.