Rheinmetall has received a major order from the German Armed Forces for the space sector. The Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) has commissioned Rheinmetall ICEYE Space Solutions to supply the German armed forces with space-based reconnaissance data via exclusive access to a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite constellation.
To deliver this capability, Rheinmetall has partnered with ICEYE – the world’s leading manufacturer and operator of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites – to establish Rheinmetall ICEYE Space Solutions. Based in Neuss, the joint venture will provide a high volume of SAR images via its exclusive constellation, offering a comprehensive service solution that includes full operations, ground station management, and AI-driven image evaluation. The satellite constellation remains the property of Rheinmetall ICEYE Space Solutions.
The current contract is valued at approximately €1.7 billion gross. Furthermore, an extension option is part of the contract. The space-based reconnaissance data will be used, primarily, to protect the German Armed Forces’ ‘Lithuania Brigade’ and secure NATO’s eastern flank.
Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG, said: “We are grateful for the great trust that the Bundeswehr has placed in us in the field of space technology. Modern armed forces depend on access to and control of space-based reconnaissance, communications, and mission control. As a provider of digital systems, we are working with our European partners to achieve this.”
Rafal Modrzewski, CEO and co-founder of ICEYE: “ICEYE is proud to support Germany and, by extension, the security of Europe through this landmark program. Space-based intelligence is the foundational layer of modern defense, but it is no longer just a strategic backdrop – it is a tactical instrument. We are driving a necessary evolution where single, vulnerable systems are replaced by resilient constellations that deliver timely, actionable insights directly to decision-makers when they’re needed most. This historic agreement demonstrates ICEYE’s evolution from a New Space pioneer to a premier provider of mission-critical capabilities. By uniting rapid satellite production with advanced analytics, we are creating a new model for how nations secure strategic and tactical advantage from space.”
The contract runs from the end of 2025 to the end of 2030 with options to extend. The scope of delivery includes a very high number of images per day, a service that will be provided by Rheinmetall ICEYE Space Solutions from its own sovereign constellation. Production of the first joint venture SAR satellites is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2026 at the company’s site in Neuss.
Within the Bundeswehr, the project is entitled ‘SAR Space System for Persistent Operational Tracking Stage 1’, (and referred to as ‘SPOCK 1’). SAR satellites project a powerful radar beam off the Earth’s surface from an orbit of 500 to 600 kilometers. The beam returns to the satellite in a series of pulses, which are processed to build a detailed picture of the ground below. Because SAR technology uses radar to illuminate the Earth instead of sunlight, it can see through clouds, smoke, ash, rain, and sandstorms to capture imagery day and night in any weather. This capability allows SAR satellites to collect images far more frequently than traditional optical systems, providing persistent coverage of fast-changing events. The technology also detects subtle changes invisible to the human eye, delivering up to 16 cm resolution.
Rheinmetall news in brief
Rheinmetall to supply Skyranger 30 for mobile air defence: Rheinmetall has received another major order for mobile air defence systems. The Dutch Ministry of Defen ce has commissioned Rheinmetall Air Defence to supply a two-digit number of Skyranger air defence systems for the Dutch armed forces. The order value is in the triple-digit million euro range. The first Skyranger weapon platforms are to be delivered at the end of 2028, with the final delivery scheduled before the end of 2029. A large part of the value added will be generated locally in the Netherlands. The Skyranger Weapon Platform consists of a standard Skyranger 30 air defence turret and a lower mount, which allows the system to be used mobile on an customer’s armoured combat support vehicle or to be operated stationary from the ground. In addition to the Skyranger weapon platforms, the customer has ordered tactical level control nodes and hooklift transport platforms for purely stationary deployment. The scope of delivery also includes the integration into the existing Dutch air defence architecture, classroom simulators and a comprehensive integrated logistics support package. “We are grateful for the Dutch armed forces’ confidence in our capabilities,’ said Oliver Dürr, Managing Director of Rheinmetall Air Defence. ‘This latest order consolidates Rheinmetall’s position as the global market leader in the field of gun-based air defence. It also continues the success of the Skyranger 30. The configuration for the Dutch armed forces, which enables both highly mobile operations and stationary use without a carrier vehicle, is unique to date. Another NATO country has already expressed interest in this configuration.”
Rheinmetall successfully demonstrates drone defence capabilities in Finland: Rheinmetall successfully demonstrated its capabilities in counter measures against small unmanned aerial systems (c-sUAS) at the Ground-based Air Defence (GBAD) Demo Days at the firing range in Lohtaja, Finland. Representatives of Rheinmetall Air Defence AG were invited to participate by the Inspector of Air Defence of the Finnish Armed Forces. Despite challenging climatic conditions in a remote forest area, Rheinmetall impressed with a powerful and professional demonstration. The demonstrated threats, ranging from jet drones to small quadcopters, as well as the frictionless cooperation with the organiser XD Solution and the Finnish Armed Forces underlined the operational readiness of the technologies on display. The main focus of the performance was on the detection, classification and tracking of a wide variety of drones in different airspaces and at different flight speeds. At the core of the presentation was Skyspotter, Rheinmetall’s multi-sensory early warning and reconnaissance system for detecting, classifying and tracking airborne threats. Skyspotter is designed to protect critical infrastructure and secure large areas against drone attacks. The system features an open architecture that allows the integration of different sensors and effectors depending on the threat level. In close cooperation with employees of Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles GmbH, a rapidly deployable version of the Skyspotter system based on the Rheinmetall HX Truck was presented on site. This underscores the flexibility of the system architecture as well as the capabilities of the corporation.
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