Finnish companies ICEYE and Nokia have signed a Letter of Intent with Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence to explore cooperation on sovereign satellite communications. The agreement was announced on 22 October during Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s visit to Kyiv.
According to a joint press release from ICEYE and Nokia, the cooperation is intended to support Ukraine’s defence capabilities by exploring the development of satellite communications infrastructure under Ukrainian control.
– Ukraine needs secure, sovereign and high-performance satellite communications systems that it controls. We have a proven track record of delivering sovereign missions at speed to help build that capability, says Rafal Modrzewski, CEO and co-founder of ICEYE, in the press release.
The Letter of Intent does not constitute an announced procurement agreement. The companies have not disclosed any financial commitments, procurement plans or timetable for a potential Ukrainian satellite communications system.
The agreement follows the companies’ joint announcement on 1 October of a partnership to develop broadband satellite communications systems operating in low Earth orbit (LEO). The planned systems would allow governments to own and control their satellites, ground infrastructure and terminals, rather than relying entirely on external commercial operators.
The companies expect the first communications satellites to be launched in 2028. This timetable applies to their broader development project, and no corresponding schedule has been announced for Ukraine. The systems are intended to complement existing military and commercial networks, providing additional connectivity when terrestrial communications are disrupted.
ICEYE has previously secured defence contracts involving sovereign satellite capabilities. In January 2026, NDS reported that the company had signed a multi-year agreement with Sweden’s Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) to supply synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites and associated systems for military surveillance and intelligence. The company has also expanded its international presence, establishing subsidiaries in India, the Netherlands and South Korea to support defence-related activities and technological cooperation.
In a statement on Telegram, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the agreement with ICEYE and Nokia, saying Ukraine had agreed to make greater use of Finland’s satellite capabilities. He identified the cooperation as important for Ukraine’s defence and resilience.
The announcement coincided with Prime Minister Orpo’s visit to Kyiv. According to Zelenskyy, seven documents were signed during the visit, with agreements totalling EUR 300 million. No financial value has been attributed specifically to the ICEYE–Nokia agreement.