LISBON, Portugal — June 17, 2026 : Portugal has signed a contract to acquire two additional synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites from Finnish aerospace company ICEYE, doubling its sovereign satellite fleet from two to four spacecraft.
The agreement was signed by CTI Aeroespacial, a joint venture between the Portuguese Air Force (Força Aérea Portuguesa, FAP) and engineering center CEiiA. The acquisition follows the successful launch of Portugal’s first sovereign ICEYE-built satellite in March 2026, which is already in operational service.
The new satellites will strengthen Portugal’s independent space-based surveillance capabilities and support monitoring of national territory and maritime areas.
SAR Technology Provides All-Weather Monitoring
Unlike traditional optical satellites, which require daylight and clear weather conditions, SAR satellites use radar signals to generate images of the Earth's surface. ICEYE’s X-band SAR technology can capture imagery through cloud cover, smoke, storms, and darkness.
This capability is particularly important for Portugal, where cloud cover frequently affects visibility over large areas of the Atlantic Ocean and coastline.
To support the program, Portuguese Air Force personnel recently visited ICEYE’s facility in Espoo, Finland, to inspect the newly ordered satellites and verify their readiness before delivery.
Faster Revisit Rates for Maritime Surveillance
The expansion from two to four satellites will significantly reduce revisit times, allowing more frequent observations of specific locations.
The improved capability will support monitoring of Portugal’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which covers approximately 1.7 million square kilometers. Faster revisit rates will help authorities track vessels, monitor environmental incidents such as oil spills, and support search-and-rescue operations.
Part of Portugal’s Space Modernization Plan
The acquisition is part of the Portuguese Air Force’s Força Aérea 5.3 modernization plan, which aims to establish an independent space-based surveillance capability.
Jordi Laguarda, ICEYE’s Vice President of Missions for Spain and Portugal, said the expanded constellation will provide the revisit rates and response times required for modern defense and civil protection missions.
General Sérgio da Costa Pereira, Chief of Staff of the Portuguese Air Force, said the additional satellites will strengthen Portugal’s freedom of action while supporting defense, security, environmental monitoring, and the protection of natural resources.
Growing European Demand for SAR Satellites
Portugal’s procurement reflects a broader European trend toward sovereign satellite surveillance capabilities. The importance of persistent, all-weather satellite monitoring has become increasingly evident in recent years, leading several European countries to expand investments in national space-based intelligence systems.
ICEYE operates the world’s largest SAR satellite constellation and recently completed a Series F funding round valued at more than €1 billion to expand production capacity and meet growing demand.
Once the new satellites enter service, Portugal will have enhanced capability to independently monitor its territory and Atlantic maritime domain while supporting both military and civilian missions.
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