Finnish space-intelligence company ICEYE and network giant Nokia have signed a Letter of Intent with Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence to explore cooperation in space, with the aim of building sovereign satellite communications capability for the country’s armed forces.
Signed during the Finnish prime minister’s visit
The letter was announced on 22 October 2026, during the visit of Finland’s Prime Minister to Ukraine. The document is not a final contract but a statement of intent: the parties will explore how they can cooperate, with a particular focus on strengthening Ukraine’s defence capabilities through satellite-based communications that the country itself controls.
Building on an earlier partnership
The Ukrainian agreement follows a partnership ICEYE and Nokia announced earlier this month. Under that deal, the two companies will develop secure, sovereign and high-performance broadband communications systems based on low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. The target customers are governments and defence users, and the systems would support missions ranging from defence and border security to emergency services and disaster response.
The key selling point is ownership. The jointly developed systems are built on trusted European technology and give nations control over the satellites, the ground segment and the terminals alike.
Zelenskyy: Communications are a matter of national security
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said modern warfare has shown that reliable communications are a matter of national security, and that countries must rely on capabilities they can control. He called the letter an important step in that direction. He thanked Finland and its prime minister for their consistent support, and said Ukraine values partners who not only help the country but also work with it to build Europe’s long-term security.
ICEYE: Proven track record, support since 2022
Rafal Modrzewski, CEO and co-founder of ICEYE, stressed that Ukraine needs secure, high-performance satellite communications that it controls itself. He pointed to the company’s track record in delivering sovereign missions quickly, and noted that ICEYE has supported Ukraine since 2022 and remains committed to doing so.
ICEYE operates the world’s largest and most advanced SAR (synthetic aperture radar) satellite constellation. Radar imaging works in any weather, day or night. The company serves defence and intelligence, environmental monitoring, insurance and emergency management customers, and offers governments the option of operating their own constellation as a sovereign system. Founded in Finland, it employs more than 1,500 people worldwide.
Nokia: Satellite networks protect connectivity
Mikko Hautala, Nokia’s Chief Geopolitical & Government Relations Officer and Chairman of Nokia Defense, said satellite networks extend and protect connectivity when ground networks are disrupted, which makes them a key part of any secure communications system. Through the letter, Nokia, Ukraine and ICEYE will examine how trusted, sovereign satellite communications can strengthen Ukraine’s resilience and give it control over the connectivity it depends on.
Nokia describes itself as a global leader in connectivity infrastructure, with solutions spanning fixed, mobile, IP, optical, core and data centre networks.
Source: ICEYE and Nokia press release
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Picture: Iceye press release