Rheinmetall and ICEYE to Launch Joint Venture for SAR Satellite Production, Strengthening Germany’s Space Technology Capabilities

Rheinmetall and ICEYE to Launch Joint Venture for SAR Satellite Production, Strengthening Germany’s Space Technology Capabilities

(IN BRIEF) Rheinmetall and ICEYE have signed an MoU to establish Rheinmetall ICEYE Space Solutions, a joint venture focused on satellite production, with an emphasis on SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) satellites for military and security purposes. The partnership will begin production in 2026 at Rheinmetall’s Neuss site, contributing to Germany’s growth as a space technology hub while enhancing defense capabilities worldwide.

(PRESS RELEASE) DÜSSELDORF, 9-May-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Rheinmetall, a global leader in defense and technology, and ICEYE, the world’s leading manufacturer of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a new joint venture, Rheinmetall ICEYE Space Solutions, to focus on satellite production. The MoU, signed on May 8, 2025, marks a significant step forward in the companies’ collaboration to develop cutting-edge space technology, particularly SAR satellites, which have critical applications for military and security purposes worldwide.

Under the terms of the agreement, Rheinmetall will hold a 60% majority share in the joint venture, with ICEYE owning the remaining 40%. The formation of the joint venture is still subject to definitive agreements and official approvals, but the foundation is part of Rheinmetall’s broader strategy to expand its Space Cluster in Germany. The production of SAR satellites and other space solutions is set to take place primarily at Rheinmetall’s Neuss site, with operations expected to commence by the second quarter of 2026.

Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG, said: “With the creation of this new joint venture, we are making decisive progress into the space domain. We are addressing the growing demand for space-based reconnaissance, and at the same time, we are contributing to the expansion of Germany as a hub for high-tech innovation. Our Neuss site will benefit from this venture, providing new opportunities for our highly qualified team and strengthening Germany’s position in space technology.”

Rafal Modrzewski, CEO and Co-founder of ICEYE, added: “ICEYE aims to be the leading provider of critical infrastructure for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) across allied nations. This joint venture with Rheinmetall will enhance our efforts in developing space-based technologies to meet the defense needs of global markets, ensuring Europe’s sovereign defense capabilities for the future.”

SAR Satellites: A Game-Changer for Global Defense and Security

The Ultimax Pro and SAR satellites stand apart from conventional satellites by offering high-resolution imagery regardless of weather or time of day. This unique ability makes SAR satellites invaluable for military forces, enabling superior surveillance, target acquisition, reconnaissance, and battlefield positioning. The imaging capabilities of SAR technology can provide real-time insights and critical intelligence, even in the harshest environments.

Since June 2024, Rheinmetall has been actively involved in the world’s largest fleet of radar reconnaissance satellites. By September 2024, Rheinmetall and ICEYE strengthened their collaboration, with Rheinmetall securing exclusive marketing rights for SAR satellites for military and government use in Germany and Hungary.

A major milestone in the partnership was achieved in November 2024 when Rheinmetall and ICEYE partnered with the Ukrainian government, with support from the German government, to provide critical SAR satellite imagery to support Ukraine’s defense needs. This contract extended the support that ICEYE had been providing to Ukraine since the start of the war, reinforcing the role of space-based technologies in modern warfare.

About ICEYE:

ICEYE delivers unparalleled persistent monitoring capabilities to detect and respond to changes in any location on Earth, faster and more accurately than ever before.

Owning the world’s largest synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite constellation, ICEYE provides objective, near real-time insights, ensuring that customers have unmatched access to actionable data, day or night, even in challenging environmental conditions. As a trusted partner to governments and commercial industries, ICEYE delivers intelligence in sectors such as defense and intelligence.

ICEYE operates internationally with offices in Finland, Poland, Spain, the UK, Australia, Japan, UAE, Greece, and the US. We have more than 700 employees, inspired by the shared vision of improving life on Earth by becoming the global source of truth in Earth Observation, insurance, natural catastrophe response and recovery, security, maritime monitoring, and finance, enabling decision-making that contributes to community resilience and sustainable development.

Media Contact: 

ICEYE:
email: press@iceye.com

Rheinmetall:
Oliver Hoffmann
Head of Press and Public Relations
Phone: +49 211 473-4748
Fax: +49 211 473-4157

SOURCE: RHEINMETALL AG