Helsinki and Brussels: ICEYE, the global leader in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite operations for Earth observation, has announced a strategic partnership with NATO Allied Command Operations (ACO) to supply satellite data as a critical component of the Alliance Persistent Surveillance from Space (APSS) initiative. This collaboration aims to significantly boost NATO’s space-based intelligence sharing capabilities, enabling faster and more comprehensive situational awareness across the Alliance.
The APSS initiative is a multi-year, multi-domain, multinational program managed by the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA). It seeks to enhance cross-domain intelligence by optimizing the use of both government-owned and commercial space assets, accelerating the collection, integration, and delivery of critical space-based data to support political decision-making and military operations.
Through this partnership, NATO’s ACO will gain direct access to ICEYE’s cutting-edge SAR satellite constellation, which provides high-resolution radar imagery regardless of weather or lighting conditions. ICEYE’s SAR satellites can deliver data within an average of eight hours after image acquisition, with the capability to provide urgent imagery in under one hour when required. This rapid data turnaround is vital for persistent monitoring of maritime, terrestrial, and remote or hard-to-reach areas, enhancing NATO’s operational responsiveness.
This agreement builds on ICEYE’s earlier announcement in March 2025, when it began providing SAR satellite data to the Situation Center at NATO Headquarters (SITCEN) in Brussels. The expanding cooperation strengthens NATO’s surveillance infrastructure, broadening access to valuable Earth observation data and reinforcing the Alliance’s ability to maintain situational awareness in complex operational environments.
ICEYE operates the world’s largest SAR satellite constellation, with 54 satellites launched to date for its own use and that of its customers globally. These satellites offer 25-centimeter ground resolution, enabling precise object detection and detailed situational awareness in all weather and lighting conditions, day or night. This capability is crucial for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions that require persistent, reliable data regardless of environmental challenges.
Pekka Laurila, Chief Strategy Officer and Co-Founder of ICEYE, highlighted the significance of this partnership, “We are very pleased to strengthen our cooperation with NATO and to provide our SAR satellite data as part of the APSS initiative. Our proven satellites deliver actionable intelligence that enhances situational awareness and supports rapid decision-making for NATO and allied countries.”
ICEYE’s SAR technology is increasingly recognized as a vital asset in modern defense and security frameworks, especially amid rising geopolitical tensions and the growing importance of space-based intelligence. With clients including NATO, Ukraine, and Japan, ICEYE’s constellation supports a broad spectrum of applications ranging from military ISR to disaster response and maritime monitoring.
The company’s satellites operate by emitting radar signals from approximately 550 kilometers above Earth, capturing detailed images through signal reflections that penetrate clouds and darkness. This all-weather, day-and-night capability ensures uninterrupted surveillance and intelligence gathering.
ICEYE’s rapid growth and technological innovation have been bolstered by significant investments, including €41.1 million in R&D funding from Finland’s Business Finland agency as part of a €250 million investment program. This funding aims to strengthen ICEYE’s position as a global pioneer in space and defense technology, supporting the expansion of its SAR satellite constellation and enhancing its service offerings to governments and commercial customers worldwide.
Operating internationally with offices in Finland, Poland, Spain, the UK, Australia, Japan, UAE, Greece, and the US, ICEYE employs over 700 professionals dedicated to advancing Earth observation technologies. The company’s mission is to improve life on Earth by becoming the global source of truth in satellite-based Earth observation.
ICEYE’s partnership with NATO Allied Command Operations under the APSS initiative marks a significant milestone in enhancing the Alliance’s space-based intelligence capabilities. By providing rapid, high-resolution SAR satellite data, ICEYE strengthens NATO’s ability to conduct persistent surveillance and informed decision-making across multiple domains. This collaboration, building on previous engagements with NATO, highlights ICEYE’s leadership in SAR technology and its growing role in global security and defense infrastructure.
