- ICEYE has established new entities in India and the Netherlands to develop sovereign space intelligence capabilities with national defense customers
- ICEYE India will support defense and intelligence customers while developing local manufacturing, engineering and supply-chain capabilities
- ICEYE Netherlands will establish an Amsterdam-based technology hub and deepen its relationship with the Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force.
ICEYE is establishing new national entities in India and the Netherlands as the space technology company expands its focus on sovereign intelligence, local engineering and defense-industrial partnerships.
What Does ICEYE’s India Expansion Involve?
The company said Monday it formally established ICEYE India, based in New Delhi, to support India’s defense and intelligence customers and expand engagement with the country’s broader space and defense ecosystem.
The Indian entity is expected to support access to ICEYE’s intelligence capabilities while facilitating supply-chain participation, technology validation and local capability development. The company also plans to use the entity as a platform for manufacturing activities in India, with an emphasis on local sourcing, suppliers and engineering talent.
ICEYE said it is exploring collaboration with Indian launch providers, electronics and component manufacturers and other technology partners.
“ICEYE India means real engineering and manufacturing capability on the ground,” said Rafał Modrzewski, CEO and co-founder of ICEYE. “We’re excited to build this together with the government and local partners and to support India as it strengthens its own sovereign intelligence capability.”
The company said the Indian operation will address requirements spanning defense, surveillance and environmental monitoring.
How Is ICEYE Deepening its Relationship With the Netherlands?
In the Netherlands, ICEYE established a new entity headquartered in Amsterdam and launched a technology hub within the Netherlands Defence Technological Industrial Base.
The new Netherlands operation will focus on local engineering, co-development with the Dutch defense-industrial base, engagement with defense stakeholders and space-readiness training.
“ICEYE gave us the flexibility to build sovereign capacity quickly, without first having to set up a full development line ourselves,” Lieutenant Colonel Petra Wijnja, lead space warfare & expertise, CLRS | Space Command, Ministry of Defence. “A local presence anchors the partnership in our own Dutch industry and, in doing so, strengthens broader European resilience.”
ICEYE has named Joost Elstak to lead its Netherlands operations as CEO. Elstak brings more than 20 years of experience in small satellite programs, with previous roles at ISISPACE, SSTL and Airbus Netherlands. He joined ICEYE in 2023 and continues to oversee global sales for the company’s mission customer business as senior vice president.
What Is ICEYE’s Broader Market Position?
The company has continued expanding its international defense footprint, including work with European armed forces. In Spain, the company opened a research and development facility in Valencia in May 2025. The company said it expects the Valencia team to grow to more than 100 employees within three years, while also working with local academic institutions.
In June 2025, ICEYE announced that it would provide space-based ISR capabilities to the Royal Netherlands Air Force, while subsequent satellite launches included the first ICEYE satellite dedicated to the Dutch military mission.
In September 2025, ICEYE signed an approximately $185.8 million contract with the Finnish Defence Forces to provide SAR satellites and related systems.
In Sweden, ICEYE secured a multi-year agreement with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration in January 2026 to provide a sovereign space-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability. ICEYE said the capability is intended to strengthen Swedish and NATO situational awareness in Northern Europe and the Arctic.
