After armored vehicles and shells, Rheinmetall points to the stars. The German team supplier has signed an agreement with the Finnish industrialist Iceye to constitute a company for the production of military observation satellites. Call Rheinmetall Iceye space, will be 60% owned by Rheinmetall and 40% of Iceye.
To carry out this project, the German industrialist will turn part of its factory into Neuss, near Düsseldorf, which until now produced car parts. The launch of operations is scheduled for the second quarter of 2026.
Rheinmetall is not associated with Iceye by chance: founded in 2014, the Finnish company specializes in the manufacture of radar with opening synthesis (SAR synthetic opening radar) for observation and cartography. Iceye has launched around forty satellites since 2018.
The interest of the SAR Radar is mainly in the ability to provide high -resolution images during the day, regardless of climatic conditions or smoked interference. A definitive advantage in satisfying military needs in terms of surveillance, recognition, intelligence, acquisition of objectives.
Rheinmetall pushes its pawns in Europe
With this new activity, the German conglomerate is even more established in the field of defense. Manufacturer of ammunition, shells, provider of the American giant Lockheed Martin, involved in armament programs such as the future air combat system, Rheinmetall also seeks to create solid links with foreign partners.
In February 2024, he announced that he had concluded an agreement with a Ukrainian partner to create an artillery ammunition factory in Ukraine, six months after signing another agreement for the repair of military vehicles. More recently, Rheinmetall has ratified the construction of a missile and rocket production plant on German soil with Lockheed Martin.
A strategy closely examined by certain observers, who see in Rheinmetall as an “important strategic competitor”, it is said that the BFM business.
The group benefited from the consequences of the war in Ukraine, but also of the increase in the German defense budget. The annual results indicate an increase in sales of 36% in 2024, reaching 9.8 billion euros.
Source: BFM TV
