# Ukraine signs letter of intent with ICEYE and Nokia for sovereign satcom

The planned systems would give governments ownership and control of satellite communications infrastructure. ICEYE told Breaking Defense the Ukrainian letter implies no system order.

Published 2026-10-26 by TGOs. Canonical: https://tgos.io/news/2026/10/26/ukraine-signs-letter-of-intent-with-iceye-and-nokia/

Ukraine's Ministry of Defence signed a letter of intent with ICEYE and Nokia on 22 October to explore space cooperation, with the aim of building sovereign satellite communications.[1] An ICEYE spokesperson told Breaking Defense that the letter expresses intent and does not imply an order for any system for Ukraine.[3]

The proposed cooperation brings Ukraine into discussions about the satellite communications partnership ICEYE and Nokia announced on 1 October.[1][2] The companies plan to develop broadband systems in low Earth orbit that would give government customers ownership and control of the satellites, ground segment and terminals.[2]

“We must all rely on capabilities that we can control,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in Nokia's 22 October release.[1]

ICEYE and Nokia plan to integrate satellites, ground infrastructure and ruggedized end-user terminals, extending ICEYE's sovereign space intelligence business model to satellite communications.[2]

## Why it matters

The companies' proposed ownership model addresses Ukraine's stated goal of controlling its communications capabilities, but delivery remains prospective.[1][2] ICEYE and Nokia expect their first communications satellites to launch in 2028; Nokia's announcement of the Ukrainian letter gives no delivery date for Ukraine.[1][2]

## Sources

1. Nokia release, 22 October 2026 <https://www.nokia.com/newsroom/iceye-and-nokia-partner-with-the-ministry-of-defence-of-ukraine-to-develop-sovereign-satcom-capability/>
2. ICEYE release, 1 October 2026 <https://www.iceye.com/newsroom/press-releases/iceye-and-nokia-partner-to-launch-secure-and-sovereign-satellite-communications-for-governments-and-defense-customers>
3. Breaking Defense, 23 October 2026 <https://breakingdefense.com/2026/10/kyiv-eyes-purchase-of-planned-iceye-nokia-sovereign-communication-sats/>