Image of the Davis-Monthan Air Force “Boneyard” in Tucson, Ariz., US, March 1, 2024. (ICEYE)

WASHINGTON — Finnish satellite operator ICEYE and German arms maker Rheinmetall today announced they have jointly signed a contract to provide Ukraine’s armed forces with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery — with funding provided by Germany’s Ministry of Defense.

“The agreement further increases the SAR data and other support Ukraine has been receiving from ICEYE” since Russia’s assault on the country in February 2022, according to the Rheinmetall press release.

“This provision will supplement further reconnaissance data obtained by other sensors and provide the basis for decision-making and operational planning by the Ukrainian armed forces. The collaboration includes dedicated satellite capacity and constellation access, which allows the capacity of the entire ICEYE satellite fleet to be utilized. Since 2018, ICEYE has launched 38 satellites for ICEYE’s and its customers’ use,” it adds.

Rheinmetall did not release the value of the German contract.

The two firms first inked a cooperation accord in June, and in September Düsseldorf-based Rheinmetall procured the exclusive rights to market ICEYE’s products to “military and government end users” in Germany and Hungary, according to an Oct. 9 Rheinmetall press release.

Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG, said at the time: “The space domain is an integral part of a defence strategy and of great relevance to our military clients. We are convinced that our combined capabilities will enable us to develop innovative approaches to offer customized solutions for our military customers in the future.”

SAR satellites, which can take high-resolution images day and night regardless of weather conditions, have been particularly useful for Ukraine’s warfighting capability, given the preponderance of cloudy weather in the country.

ICEYE was an early provider, in August 2022 offering Kiev access to its constellation via an agreement with the Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation in Ukraine for one of the company’s satellites to be designated for Ukrainian government use. In July 2024, ICEYE and Ukraine’s government signed a new “Memorandum of Cooperation” to expand their collaboration.