Finland has signed a letter of intent for cooperation on the use of SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) satellites together with the Netherlands and Poland. The document establishes a foundation for the joint use of surveillance satellites. Finland has previously signed an agreement for satellite procurement with the domestic company ICEYE.
In a press release from the Ministry of Defence Finland, it is stated that the letter of intent concerns cooperation on the use of surveillance satellites. Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen states in the release that Finland, together with other allied countries, is now taking further steps to build space-related capabilities.
– We are now taking concrete further steps to build space capabilities together with our important allied countries. Finland's own satellites and the domestic high-tech expertise provide an excellent foundation for continued cooperation in this area, says Häkkänen in the press release.
According to the Ministry of Defence, other partner countries are also expected to join the cooperation.
The Finnish Defence Forces signed an agreement worth approximately 158 million euros in September with ICEYE for the procurement of SAR satellites, which Nordic Defence Sector has previously reported on.