Poland is advancing its military capabilities with a project to launch its first three military satellites this month. These satellites are part of a broader initiative to secure an Earth observation system for the Polish armed forces amid ongoing security concerns from the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The satellites are being developed by a consortium that includes Finnish manufacturer ICEYE and Wojskowe Zaklady Lacznosci No 1, a subsidiary of Poland’s state-run defense group PGZ. This national satellite reconnaissance system represents the inaugural step in Poland’s military space capabilities.

The synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites are scheduled to be deployed into low Earth orbit during the upcoming Transporter-15 mission on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, originally set for November 11, coinciding with Poland’s Independence Day, but now postponed to November 19.

The Polish Ministry of National Defence entered into a contract with the manufacturer consortium in May, which includes at least three satellites under the MikroSAR program with an option for three additional spacecraft. The initial contract is valued at approximately PLN 860 million ($237 million).

Polish Deputy National Defence Minister Cezary Tomczyk highlighted the importance of this development during a Nov. 13 event, expressing the military’s need for improved targeting capabilities. He emphasized that this project aligns Poland with countries that possess advanced reconnaissance capabilities.

Rafal Modrzewski, ICEYE’s CEO, stated that the first satellite’s launch would provide the Polish military with a reconnaissance system capable of capturing images with a resolution of 25 centimeters. This capability underscores the strategic advantage it aims to provide.

ICEYE’s partnership with PGZ is significant, highlighting a growing collaboration between major industry players. In addition to this Polish initiative, ICEYE formed a joint venture with Germany’s Rheinmetall in May 2025, focusing on satellite manufacturing, particularly SAR satellites.

To complement its military satellite projects, Poland established the Geospatial Intelligence and Satellite Services Agency, tasked with processing data from the satellite fleet. According to its head, Col. Leszek Paszkowski, the agency will provide essential services, including satellite navigation and imaging.

The planned satellite fleet is intended to serve as the “eyes” for the Polish military, enhancing its capabilities for precise strikes against enemy forces, crucial for the country’s defense strategy.

In addition to the MikroSAR program, Poland is also expecting two observation satellites ordered from French company Airbus, which are set to be launched by 2027. This initiative aims to elevate Poland’s military reconnaissance capacities as part of a French-Polish satellite constellation. The total contract for these satellites is valued at approximately €575 million ($669 million).

The article is reported by Jaroslaw Adamowski, the Poland correspondent for Defense News.