Ukraine and Sweden to cooperate in the military space domain

Sweden will cooperate with Ukraine in developing space technologies for defense purposes, as discussed during negotiations between the Ukrainian and Swedish delegations at the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine.

During the meeting, the Ukrainian side outlined major achievements in digitalization, with the adoption and implementation of space policy and strategy being an essential part of the defense sector. 

In particular, the Ukrainian side informed counterparts about the establishment of the Space Policy Directorate at the Ministry of Defence in March 2025. The delegation also outlined the key needs of Ukraine’s Defence Forces in this domain, which could be addressed in cooperation with international partners.

“We are revitalizing our significant heritage in the space domain to align with today’s requirements. We are also involving foreign partners who possess more extensive experience and capabilities in the military space domain. “We are ready to share our own developments acquired during combat operations,” said Major Oleksandr Havrutenko, Head of the Space Policy Directorate in the defense sector, during the talks.

He clarified that Ukraine will prioritize processing large data sets, including those obtained from partners, rather than scaling up its own hardware capacity in the military space sector.

“Space is an essential domain for our Defence Forces. Satellites will deliver reliable communication for the military, bolster proprietary intelligence capabilities, and help safeguard lives by providing early warnings of emerging threats. Therefore, this area is a priority for the Ministry of Defence,” commented Kateryna Chernohorenko, Deputy Minister of Defence for Digital Development.

“Based on my own experience, I can affirm that the space domain is developing at a very dynamic pace. Therefore, we must be prepared for flexibility and adaptability, even in strategic matters,” emphasized Brigadier General Lars Helmrich, Director of the Air and Space Systems Division at the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration, who headed the Swedish delegation. 

He added that Sweden is interested in cooperating with Ukraine to develop space technologies, leveraging Ukraine’s experience in modern warfare. Additionally, Sweden can facilitate collaboration with other partners, including the Nordic countries of Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Iceland.

The Ukrainian delegation expressed gratitude to the government and people of Sweden for their comprehensive support and interest in cooperation within the military space domain.