ICEYE’s SAR Satellite.
Rheinmetall-ICEYE Joint Venture: Rheinmetall AG, the German defense technology company, and ICEYE, a leader in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite technology, have officially launched a joint venture called Rheinmetall ICEYE Space Solutions GmbH. The new company, based in Neuss, Germany, was established after the two companies signed an agreement in Berlin earlier this week.
Rheinmetall holds a 60% stake in the joint venture, while ICEYE owns the remaining 40%. The venture comes just five months after the initial announcement of the partnership in May 2025. Operations are set to begin in 2025, with plans to manufacture the first satellite locally by 2026.
This collaboration aims to address the growing demand for space-based reconnaissance, especially from military and security forces worldwide. The companies will leverage ICEYE’s SAR satellite technology, which provides high-resolution imagery of the Earth’s surface, regardless of weather conditions or time of day. SAR satellites are already being used in support of Ukraine’s defense efforts against Russian forces, providing valuable reconnaissance data.
In addition to its defense applications, SAR technology has wider uses in sectors such as insurance, natural disaster response, maritime monitoring, and finance. By establishing this joint venture, Rheinmetall is deepening its presence in the space sector, which has seen increasing interest in recent years.
The creation of Rheinmetall ICEYE Space Solutions also coincides with a shift in the company’s activities in the Lower Rhine region. Parts of Rheinmetall’s Power Systems division have recently been transferred to the company’s military business, and employees at the Neuss facility are expected to benefit from the new venture’s prospects.
ICEYE’s SAR Satellite.
READ: Maritime Information Sharing Workshop 2025 to Strengthen Indian Ocean Regional Security
Rheinmetall’s involvement in the joint venture aligns with its broader strategy to expand its defense and security offerings, building on its long-standing role as a global leader in military technology. ICEYE, for its part, continues to grow its satellite constellation and aims to provide faster, more accurate data for a variety of industries, including defense and intelligence.
Both companies are hopeful that the new venture will help meet the rising demand for high-resolution, real-time satellite imagery, further cementing their roles in the rapidly evolving space technology sector.
READ: Rheinmetall and MBDA’s German Laser Weapon System Moves Closer to Market Readiness