Ukraine signs intent agreement with ICEYE and Nokia for secure satellite communications
Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense signed a letter of intent with Finland’s ICEYE and Nokia to explore government-controlled communications satellites. The announcement came as Kyiv sought more reliable control over battlefield communications amid uncertainty over SpaceX’s Starshield service. The firms envision a first satellite in 2028, with government buyers owning and operating the spacecraft, ground systems and terminals.
Ukraine’s defense ministry and two Finnish companies, ICEYE and Nokia, have outlined plans to study government-owned communications satellites. The letter of intent was disclosed during Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s Thursday visit to Kyiv. It follows concern about Kyiv’s Starshield access after Washington slowed the network; Zelenskyy said speeds stayed constrained despite Trump’s assurance of reversal.
ICEYE and Nokia announced their own partnership on Oct. 1, aiming at secure broadband low-Earth-orbit systems for government users. Under the envisioned model, public buyers would own and run the spacecraft, ground equipment and terminals, with a first launch targeted for 2028.
If pursued, sovereign satellite control could affect Ukrainian military communicators, drone operators, border and emergency responders by reducing dependence on foreign providers and potentially improving continuity during outages. It may also shape how governments procure and own space infrastructure, influencing taxpayers, allied suppliers, and European defense planners. Because the project is only an intent and first launch is planned for 2028, near-term battlefield effects could be limited.