#Portugal #Lisbon #ICEYE #SAR Satellite #Portuguese Air Force

ICEYE and the Portuguese Air Force Join Forces

In a landmark agreement signed on June 12, 2025, ICEYE, the leading name in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite technology, has partnered with the Portuguese Air Force to bolster Portugal's defense capabilities. This collaboration centers around the purchase of one ICEYE SAR satellite, a complete ground segment, and an antenna, marking a significant leap forward for both parties involved.

Key Details of the Agreement

The signing ceremony took place in Lisbon and showcased the commitment of the Portuguese Air Force to enhance its space-based defense strategies. Alongside the satellite acquisition, discussions are already underway regarding the potential purchase of additional satellites, highlighting the optimistic vision for future partnership expansions.

The satellite will play a crucial role in the Atlantic Constellation project, a joint initiative led by Spain and Portugal that aims to deploy a cluster of small Earth observation satellites. This project is set to provide valuable data for environmental monitoring and disaster relief efforts. It complements existing European efforts, such as the Copernicus program.

Strengthening National Space Capabilities

Furthermore, ICEYE and CTI Aerospacial, a collaborative venture between the Portuguese Air Force and CEiiA (a local center for engineering and innovation), have entered into a memorandum of understanding. This agreement focuses on establishing a satellite assembly facility within Portugal itself, a strategic move aligned with the country's 2030 Space Strategy.

Rafal Modrzewski, CEO and Co-founder of ICEYE, expressed pride in this collaboration, emphasizing its importance in enhancing Europe’s defensive and disaster response capabilities. He stated, “This partnership underscores our commitment to delivering critical ISR infrastructure and advancing sovereign space technologies within the region.”

A New Era for the Portuguese Air Force

For the Portuguese Air Force, this agreement represents an essential component of its evolving capabilities. General João Cartaxo Alves, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, noted that this development is in line with their strategy termed 'Air Force 5.3.' This strategy is designed to embrace 5th Generation technologies and expand operational activities into the increasingly vital domain of Space. The integration of space technologies along with terrestrial and cyberspace operations is seen as essential for the future of national security and defense.

Advancements in ISR Infrastructure

ICEYE’s ambition to lead in the ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) infrastructure sphere is reiterated by this agreement. To date, ICEYE has successfully launched a total of 48 SAR satellites since its inception in 2018, demonstrating its capability and reliability in satellite technology deployment. With plans to launch 20 more satellites annually through 2025 and beyond, it's poised for further growth in its operational capacity.

ICEYE’s satellites are renowned for their adeptness at providing persistent monitoring capabilities. They deliver accurate and actionable insights under various environmental conditions, playing a crucial role in sectors like defense, disaster response, maritime monitoring, and more.

The Future of Earth Observation

As ICEYE continues to develop its presence on the global stage with offices across multiple countries, including Finland, Poland, Spain, and the USA, its mission remains clear: to enhance life on Earth through superior Earth observation technologies. The partnership with the Portuguese Air Force illustrates not only a commitment to innovation but also signifies a step towards creating a collaborative and progressive aerial defense infrastructure for Portugal and beyond.

This agreement is set to transform the landscape of satellite utilization in military and defense applications, thereby enhancing national security while contributing to broader European objectives.