Ukraine MoD boosts space defence with ICEYE agreement
Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence is focusing on its space defence having signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with ICEYE.
The deal which has been signed with the global leader in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite operations for Earth Observation will further strengthen cooperation with Ukraine in remote sensing of the Earth in the interest of its national security and defence.
The Memorandum of Cooperation also builds on ICEYE’s unwavering support for the Government of Ukraine since 2022.
In the memorandum, ICEYE continues to constantly ensure that the imagery captured pertinent to Ukraine’s territory is used in the interests of ensuring the security and defence of Ukraine in conditions of armed aggression and not shared in any circumstance with hostile countries or entities.
It also outlines ICEYE’s and Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence partnering to strengthen Ukraine’s space defence capabilities even further and provide SAR expertise to support defence activities.
The memorandum focuses on advancing remote sensing technology, improving data use for security, and supporting Ukraine’s integration into the global space economy.
In August 2022, ICEYE announced signing a contract with the Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation to provide the government of Ukraine with ICEYE’s SAR satellite imaging capabilities.
As part of the agreement, one of ICEYE’s SAR satellites is designated for the government of Ukraine’s use over the region.
In addition, ICEYE provides access to its constellation of SAR satellites, allowing the Ukrainian Armed Forces to receive radar satellite imagery on critical locations with a high revisit frequency.
“Cooperation with ICEYE and the signing of the memorandum will enhance our intelligence work. I’m grateful to the company for its commitment to values and the Ukrainian people. I support the intention to limit space imaging over the territory of Ukraine. We must protect the country on land, in the air, at sea, and in space,” said Deputy Minister of Defence Kateryna Chernohorenko.
Oleksandra Ustinova, head of Ukraine’s Parliamentary Commission on Arms, added: “I plead with all satellite companies to follow ICEYE’s lead in not selling imagery to Russia.
“ICEYE has been an important partner for Ukraine in providing satellite data responsibly. We are grateful that they are taking the technological lead within the industry to help protect Ukraine from Russian aggression.
“ICEYE’s modern technologies will be able to provide Ukraine with an advantage on the battlefield and far beyond enemy lines. I foresee this cooperation to strengthen with time and that together, we will engage in new defence space projects, directing Ukraine toward building a highly technological sovereign space capability.”
ICEYE CEO and co-founder Rafal Modrzewski said: “ICEYE has been working closely with the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine from Day 1 to support and help Ukraine in building space defence capabilities.
“In line with our vision to improve life on Earth by becoming the global source of truth in Earth Observation, we take pride in our efforts to provide objective, actionable data and technological support to Ukraine.
“The use of new, ground-breaking technology will continue to add significant value to the government of Ukraine.
“As an operator of highly advanced space capabilities and as a supplier of geospatial intelligence, we believe that we have a responsibility to prevent the misuse of our services against Ukraine.
“We ask our peers to stand with us and Ukraine in this approach against unwarranted foreign aggression.”
