Rheinmetall and ICEYE to Develop SAR Space System for German Military

The German Ministry of Defence has awarded a €1.7 billion contract to Rheinmetall and ICEYE for the development of a new synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite constellation, called SAR Space System for Persistent Operational Tracking Stage 1 (SPOCK 1). The contract represents a significant investment in space-based intelligence and autonomous defense capabilities for the German military. Rheinmetall and ICEYE will own and operate the constellation, providing a comprehensive service solution that includes full operations, ground station management, and AI-driven image evaluation. The first satellite is scheduled to be produced in the third quarter of 2026. The contract was announced by Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger and ICEYE counterpart Rafal Modrzewski.