ICEYE and Rheinmetall Win Major Contract Worth Billions for Space Reconnaissance

ICEYE, building actionable intelligence for resilience, readiness & response, led by Rafal Modrzewski, Pekka Laurila, and Eric Jensen, and Rheinmetall, an integrated technology group, led by Armin Papperger, have received a major order from the German Armed Forces for the space sector.

The Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) has commissioned Rheinmetall ICEYE Space Solutions to provide the German Armed Forces with space-based reconnaissance data through exclusive access to a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite constellation.

Rheinmetall has partnered with ICEYE to establish Rheinmetall ICEYE Space Solutions, a Neuss-based joint venture providing exclusive SAR satellite imagery to the German Armed Forces, including operations, ground stations, and AI-driven analysis.

The contract is valued at approximately €1.7 billion and includes an extension option, with data primarily supporting the Lithuania Brigade and strengthening NATO’s eastern flank.

The contract runs from late 2025 through 2030, with extension options, and includes the delivery of a very high volume of daily imagery from Rheinmetall ICEYE Space Solutions’ sovereign SAR constellation. Production of the first joint-venture satellites is scheduled to begin in Q3 2026 at the Neuss facility.

Known within the Bundeswehr as “SAR Space System for Persistent Operational Tracking Stage 1” (SPOCK 1), the project leverages SAR satellites operating at 500–600 km orbit. Using radar rather than sunlight, the system captures high-resolution imagery day and night, through clouds and adverse conditions, enabling frequent, persistent monitoring and detection of subtle ground changes at resolutions of up to 16 cm.

“This agreement reflects the Bundeswehr’s trust in Rheinmetall’s space technology capabilities,” said Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG, highlighting the growing importance of space-based reconnaissance, communications, and mission control for modern armed forces and Rheinmetall’s collaboration with European partners in this domain.

Rafal Modrzewski, CEO and Co-Founder of ICEYE, described the program as a landmark step for European security, positioning space-based intelligence as a tactical capability rather than a strategic backdrop. He emphasized the shift toward resilient satellite constellations delivering timely, actionable insights, marking ICEYE’s transition from a New Space pioneer to a provider of mission-critical defense capabilities through rapid satellite production and advanced analytics.