Ukraine, Nokia and ICEYE Sign Agreement to Explore Sovereign Satellite Communications for Defence

Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence has signed a letter of intent with Finnish telecommunications giant Nokia and European space technology company ICEYE to explore cooperation on secure satellite communications, as Kyiv seeks to strengthen its military capabilities and reduce reliance on external communications infrastructure.

The agreement was announced on Thursday during a visit by Finland’s prime minister to Ukraine, marking another step in expanding technological and defence cooperation between Kyiv and its European partners.

According to ICEYE, the proposed partnership will focus on developing sovereign satellite communications capabilities that would allow Ukraine to maintain greater control over critical military connectivity, particularly during wartime and disruptions to ground-based telecommunications networks.

The initiative follows a partnership announced earlier this month between ICEYE and Nokia to develop secure, high-performance broadband satellite communications systems operating in low Earth orbit (LEO).

The companies aim to provide governments with satellite networks that can be independently owned and operated, including the satellites themselves, ground infrastructure and user terminals.

The technology is designed to support defence operations, border security, emergency services and disaster response, while reducing dependence on commercial satellite communications providers.

Rafal Modrzewski, CEO and co-founder of ICEYE, said Ukraine required secure and reliable satellite communications infrastructure under its own control.

“Ukraine needs secure, sovereign and high-performance satellite communications systems that it controls,” Modrzewski said.

He added that ICEYE had supported Ukraine since 2022 and remained committed to assisting the country in strengthening its technological and defence capabilities.

Mikko Hautala, Chief Geopolitical and Government Relations Officer and Chairman of Nokia Defense, emphasised the importance of satellite networks in maintaining reliable communications when conventional infrastructure becomes unavailable.

“Nations need communications they can rely on in every situation,” Hautala said, adding that satellite networks could extend and protect connectivity when terrestrial systems are disrupted.

He said the agreement would allow Nokia, ICEYE and Ukraine to explore how trusted European satellite technologies could strengthen the country’s resilience and give Kyiv greater control over critical communications.

Strategic significance for Ukraine

Satellite communications have become a critical component of Ukraine’s military operations since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Ukraine has relied extensively on satellite-based connectivity, including SpaceX’s Starlink network, to maintain communications between military units and support operations in areas where terrestrial infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed.

The proposed cooperation with Nokia and ICEYE could eventually provide Ukraine with an additional European-developed satellite communications capability, potentially reducing its dependence on individual commercial operators.

ICEYE has already played a role in supporting Ukraine’s defence efforts through satellite-based intelligence and surveillance capabilities.

The new initiative would represent a potential expansion of that cooperation into sovereign satellite communications, an area of growing strategic importance for European governments seeking greater technological autonomy.

However, the agreement remains at an exploratory stage.

The three parties have not announced a final procurement contract, the number of satellites that could be deployed, the project’s estimated cost or a timetable for implementation.

If developed, the system could strengthen Ukraine’s ability to maintain secure military communications during Russian attacks on critical infrastructure while supporting Kyiv’s broader efforts to build a more resilient and technologically independent defence sector.