Ukraine, ICEYE, and Nokia Join Forces to Develop Indigenous Satellite Communications System

The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine has signed a letter of intent with ICEYE and Nokia to cooperate on developing its own secure satellite communications system.

ICEYE announced the agreement. The document was signed on October 22 during Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s visit to Ukraine.

The cooperation will involve exploring the possibilities of establishing a satellite system that would remain under Ukraine’s control.

It is intended to provide secure communications for defence purposes and reduce reliance on foreign commercial operators.

The future network could use low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, ground infrastructure, and specialised terminals.

Ukraine is already cooperating with ICEYE in the field of space-based intelligence. In particular, in January 2026, the Ministry of Defence signed an agreement to expand Ukrainian military access to the company’s satellite data. Its radar satellites can capture images of the Earth’s surface regardless of the time of day or weather conditions.

Militarnyi previously reported that in early October, ICEYE and Nokia agreed to jointly develop secure broadband satellite systems for military and government customers. The partners plan to launch the first communications satellites into orbit in 2028.