Rheinmetall and ICEYE launch satellite joint venture in Germany
Defense group Rheinmetall and SAR satellite operator ICEYE have established a joint venture in Neuss to manufacture synthetic aperture radar satellites.
Rheinmetall and ICEYE have officially launched Rheinmetall ICEYE Space Solutions GmbH, a joint venture based in Neuss, Germany. Rheinmetall holds a 60 percent majority stake in the entity, with ICEYE holding the remaining 40 percent. The formation follows an initial announcement made by the companies in May 2025.
The venture is scheduled to begin operations before the end of 2025, with local satellite manufacturing expected to commence in 2026. This move marks a strategic expansion for Rheinmetall into the space domain, responding to increasing global demand from military and security forces for consistent, space-based reconnaissance capabilities.
Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology allows for the capture of high-resolution imagery regardless of weather conditions or lighting, providing operational advantages over traditional optical satellites. Such technology is already in use to support defense operations in Ukraine. The establishment of the venture also serves to repurpose parts of Rheinmetall's existing industrial infrastructure in Neuss, shifting focus from civil applications to defense-related space systems.