Rheinmetall and ICEYE establish joint venture in Neuss

The technology group Rheinmetall and ICEYE have established a joint venture called Rheinmetall ICEYE Space Solutions GmbH. The corresponding agreement was signed in Berlin by Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG, and Rafał Modrzewski, CEO and co-founder of ICEYE. Rheinmetall ICEYE Space Solutions GmbH is based in Neuss. As the majority shareholder, Rheinmetall AG holds a 60% of the shares in the joint venture, while ICEYE Oy holds 40%.

Just five months after the announcement in May 2025, the company is now officially established. Rheinmetall ICEYE Space Solutions will commence operations in 2025, with the first satellite to be manufactured locally in 2026. With the establishment of the new joint venture, Rheinmetall is strengthening its activities in the space sector. In recent years, there has been a sharp increase in demand for space-based reconnaissance capabilities among armed forces and security forces worldwide. As part of the cooperation between Rheinmetall and ICEYE, synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites are already providing reconnaissance images for the Ukraine's defence against the Russian aggressor.

SAR satellites offer an advantage over conventional satellites as they can generate high-resolution images regardless of weather conditions or time of day. Parts of Rheinmetall's plant in the Lower-Rhine region have recently been transferred from the civilian Power Systems division to the group's military business. By establishing Rheinmetall ICEYE Space Solutions GmbH, employees at the Neuss site can also look at promising prospects.