Nokia Will Help Ukraine Develop Its Own Alternative To Starlink For The Military

• 23.10.2026, 7:37

The first step has been taken.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has signed a letter of intent with the Finnish companies ICEYE and Nokia regarding cooperation in space. The goal is to create its own secure satellite communications system, which will be controlled by Ukraine.

This was reported by RBC-Ukraine citing a joint statement by ICEYE and Nokia.
The letter of intent was signed on October 22 during a visit to Ukraine by Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo. This is just the first step: the parties have agreed to explore opportunities for cooperation. No timeline or funding details have been disclosed.

In early October, ICEYE and Nokia announced the joint development of a secure, low-Earth-orbit satellite broadband network, similar to Starlink. The main difference is that the government, as the customer, will own and operate everything: the satellites, ground infrastructure, and terminals.

Such communications may be needed for defense, border security, emergency services, and disaster relief.

“Ukraine needs secure, sovereign, and high-performance satellite communication systems that it controls,” said Rafal Modzenski , CEO and co-founder of ICEYE . He noted that the company has been supporting Ukraine since 2022.

The head of Nokia Defense Mikko Hautala emphasized that satellite networks safeguard communications when ground-based infrastructure is damaged. According to him, the system should give Ukraine control over the communications on which it depends.

Starting on the night of October 14, terminals on Ukrainian drones maintained communication only up to 160 km/h. The limit was lifted only a week later, and U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Elon Musk had done so, without specifying whether he himself had asked him to do so.