Nokia and ICEYE join forces on secure defence satellite communications, first launches in 2028

Nokia and ICEYE have announced a partnership to develop secure, sovereign and high-performance broadband satellite communications systems for governments and defence contractors, the companies said in Helsinki on Thursday 1 October. (https://www.reuters.com/business/nokia-iceye-make-satellite-systems-defence-security-2026-10-01/)

The systems will use low Earth orbit (LEO) communications satellites, supporting missions from defence and border security to emergency services and disaster response. Nations will own and control the satellites, ground segment and terminals, with the first communications satellites expected to be launched in 2028. (https://www.channelnewsasia.com/business/nokia-and-iceye-make-low-orbit-satellite-systems-defence-security-6423741)

The jointly developed systems will be “built on trusted European technology”, the companies said, targeting high-throughput, low-latency connectivity over priority mission areas to complement military and commercial networks rather than replace them. (https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/10/01/tmt-newswire/globenewswire/iceye-and-nokia-partner-to-launch-secure-and-sovereign-satellite-communications-for-governments-and-defense-customers/2436801)

ICEYE chief executive and co-founder Rafal Modrzewski said: “Nations must be able to fully own and control their communications, without dependency on a foreign commercial operator’s terms of service.” Nokia president and chief executive Justin Hotard said sovereign operations depend on secure, resilient connectivity “across land, sea, air and space”. (https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/10/01/tmt-newswire/globenewswire/iceye-and-nokia-partner-to-launch-secure-and-sovereign-satellite-communications-for-governments-and-defense-customers/2436801)

The deal pitches the European pair against SpaceX’s Starlink, one of the dominant players in low Earth orbit communications systems, according to Reuters. (https://www.channelnewsasia.com/business/nokia-and-iceye-make-low-orbit-satellite-systems-defence-security-6423741)

Modrzewski and Hotard are due to take the stage at the Helsinki Security Forum on 2 October for a session titled “How to Salvage Europe’s Technological Sovereignty”. (https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/10/01/tmt-newswire/globenewswire/iceye-and-nokia-partner-to-launch-secure-and-sovereign-satellite-communications-for-governments-and-defense-customers/2436801)