Under the contract, ICEYE will supply a state of the art satellite designed to deliver all weather and day and night imaging with rapid revisit rates. The company says these features will allow the Air Force to maintain persistent monitoring regardless of environmental conditions.
The acquisition is expected to support national security, improve situational awareness and expand Portugal’s wider defence modernisation agenda. Direct ownership will also give the Air Force full control over tasking and mission planning, enabling quicker responses to military operations, maritime security needs and environmental events across the country’s Economic Exclusive Zone.
Jordi Laguarda, VP Missions 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. We are proud to support the Portuguese Air Force as they advance their mission in the new space domain.” He said the deal shows Portugal’s intent to develop resilient space based services.
General João Cartaxo Alves, Chief of Staff of the Portuguese Air Force, said: “This is a historic moment for Portugal in general and for the Portuguese Air Force in particular. 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. This technological innovation strengthens the autonomous capacity of the Air Force to ensure permanent surveillance of the national territory – on land, at sea, and in the air – under any weather conditions. It will enhance the Air Force’s ability to conduct military operations with greater precision and effectiveness, while also supporting emergency management and the sustainable use of resources.” He described the move as a shift into a new operational era.
The satellite will be the first fully owned by the Portuguese Air Force and the second operated by the service. A previous ICEYE satellite was procured on 12 June through CTI Aeroespacial, a Portuguese technology and innovation centre, for operation by the Air Force.
Source: ICEYE (press release).
