Portugal Orders 1st SAR Satellite as ICEYE Gets Funding

Satellite picture of Lajes air base, Portugal | Image: ICEYE

ICEYE has signed a contract with the Portuguese Air Force for the direct procurement of a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite, marking the first time the service will own and operate a satellite outright. Announced on December 02, the agreement provides Portugal with an independent space-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capability, supporting national security, maritime monitoring and environmental oversight.

Under the contract, ICEYE will supply a SAR satellite offering all-weather, day-and-night imaging and rapid revisit rates. The air force will maintain full control of tasking and data, enabling rapid response for military operations and monitoring of Portugal’s Exclusive Economic Zone. The acquisition is part of Portugal’s defence modernisation efforts and expands its operational role in space.

Jordi Laguarda, Vice President Missions for Spain and Portugal at ICEYE, said, “This agreement represents a major step forward in strengthening Portugal’s sovereign space capabilities and demonstrates the Air Force’s commitment to innovation and operational excellence.”

General João Cartaxo Alves, Chief of Staff of the Portuguese Air Force, described the procurement as historic, saying, “By acquiring its own capabilities to operate in space, the Air Force enters a new dimension, where Space has replaced the sky as the new operational frontier.” He said the satellite would support surveillance “on land, at sea, and in the air… under any weather conditions,” and enhance both military and emergency response missions.

This is the first satellite fully owned by the Portuguese Air Force and the second it will operate, following an earlier June 2025 agreement between ICEYE and CTI Aeroespacial.

The announcement was followed by ICEYE securing €150 million in new financing, plus a €50 million secondary placement, in a Series E funding round led by General Catalyst. The company, valued at €2.4 billion, will use the investment to expand its SAR constellation, accelerate sovereign satellite deliveries, and advance next-generation sensing and data intelligence services.

ICEYE CEO Rafal Modrzewski said the funding supports the company’s role as a provider of rapid, sovereign space capability, “This funding enables us to deepen that commitment by investing in the expansion of our world-leading SAR constellation, next-generation sensing capabilities, and data intelligence services.”

General Catalyst’s Jeannette zu Fürstenberg said ICEYE strengthens Europe’s ability to field independent space-based intelligence, calling sovereign capability “where Europe’s security starts.”