New LEO system to replace vulnerable Starlink service
Finnish companies ICEYE and Nokia signed a letter of intent with Ukraine’s Defense Ministry on October 22 to develop a sovereign satellite communications system. President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the deal during Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s visit to Kyiv, calling the agreement "important for our defense and for the resilience of Ukraine." The partnership follows previous plans by Nokia and ICEYE to build broadband low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communications systems for governments to support national defense and emergency response services. Ukraine currently relies on Starlink, a service run by U.S.-based SpaceX, for battlefield communications and mid-range drone strikes. Starlink proved essential for these operations, but the system also proved vulnerable after a week of persistent disruptions. A Ukrainian official told the Kyiv Independent that Starlink restrictions remained in place, even though U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that full functionality had returned to the service.
Control over connectivity and infrastructure
The ICEYE and Nokia system gives nations ownership over their satellites and ground terminals so Ukrainian forces on the front lines do not lose access to mission-critical systems because of the shifting whims of foreign governments. This capability is necessary because Starlink’s vulnerability caused service disruptions that affected Ukrainian operations. "Ukraine needs secure, sovereign, and high-performance satellite communications systems that it controls," ICEYE CEO Rafal Modrzewski said in a press release. The jointly developed systems will allow for direct management of all hardware and connectivity, ensuring that mission-critical communications are not subject to external interference. The agreement provides Ukraine with specific hardware designed to maintain link stability.
| System Component | Ownership Type |
|---|---|
| Satellites | Sovereign |
| Ground segment | Sovereign |
| Terminals | Sovereign |
ICEYE, which describes itself as the European leader in sovereign intelligence from space, has supported Ukraine since 2022 and aims to deliver sovereign missions at speed. Nokia, a global leader in connectivity infrastructure, will partner on the broadband LEO hardware. Mikko Hautala, the Nokia Defense Chairman, said the project gives Ukraine "control over the connectivity it depends on." This agreement provides Ukraine with infrastructure that prevents a reliance on foreign providers for vital battlefield data. This new system addresses the reality that current satellite access can be restricted by foreign entities, leaving front-line troops without the communication tools they require for survival and mission success.
