Ukraine’s Defense Ministry signed a letter of intent with Finland-based ICEYE and Nokia on October 22 to assess cooperation in space-based communications. The initiative focuses on autonomous satellite capabilities that could strengthen the resilience of Ukraine’s defense infrastructure. inPoland.net.pl reported the agreement on Saturday, October 24.

The announcement coincided with the Finnish prime minister’s visit to Ukraine. ICEYE and Nokia had already formed a partnership a month earlier to develop secure, high-capacity broadband systems in low Earth orbit for defense, border protection, emergency response and disaster management missions.

The proposed model would give participating countries ownership and control of satellites, ground systems and terminals. President Volodymyr Zelensky said dependable communications were a national security requirement, while Nokia Defense chief Mikko Hautala stressed that satellite networks can preserve connectivity when terrestrial networks are disrupted.