Norwegian defense firm Kongsberg and Germany’s Helsing have announced a partnership to develop a Europe-controlled satellite network designed for intelligence gathering, surveillance, and precision targeting from space by the end of this decade. According to a joint statement released Wednesday, the initiative aims to strengthen Europe’s independent defense capabilities in orbit.
Under the plan, a constellation of interconnected satellites dedicated to military use is expected to be operational by 2029. German defense electronics company Hensoldt will supply sensor systems, while Isar Aerospace, a German launch startup, has been named the preferred launch provider. The collaboration agreement between Kongsberg and Helsing is intended to accelerate the deployment of vital European space assets.
European governments are increasingly concerned that reliance on U.S. space-based intelligence weakens strategic autonomy. Those concerns intensified earlier this year when Washington temporarily suspended intelligence sharing with Ukraine. As a result, European nations have sought homegrown alternatives, benefiting companies such as Finland’s ICEYE, which has sold multiple radar satellites to European customers this year.
“Sovereign intelligence, surveillance, and targeting capabilities are essential for credible deterrence,” said Eirik Lie, President of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace. He added that effective defense operations require secure communication and connectivity, emphasizing Europe’s need for complete control over these systems.
Kongsberg and Helsing described the partnership as a response to Europe’s growing deterrence requirements and the strategic importance of space-based intelligence, noting that recent geopolitical developments have underscored the urgency of such capabilities.
Details regarding funding, the size of the satellite constellation, ownership arrangements, and target customer nations were not immediately disclosed. The agreement brings together Kongsberg’s satellite platforms with Helsing’s artificial intelligence technology, integrating synthetic aperture radar, optical imagery, and radio-frequency data to enhance satellite image analysis. Both companies highlighted their operational experience in Ukraine, where Helsing’s AI tools have been used both on the ground and in orbit.
“The conflict in Ukraine shows that effective targeting increasingly starts in space,” said Helsing co-founder and co-CEO Gundbert Scherf. He stated that the partnership aims to deliver integrated space defense solutions to support Europe’s strategic independence.
Hensoldt will contribute radar, electro-optical, infrared, and electronic warfare sensors, while Kongsberg Satellite Services will provide ground infrastructure for satellite communications. The collaboration also includes plans to establish satellite manufacturing facilities in Germany to support a more self-sufficient European defense ecosystem.
“With Norway’s space expertise and Hensoldt’s sensor technology, we can create a robust space architecture that gives Europe a decisive information edge,” said Hensoldt CEO Oliver Dörre, stressing that Europe’s security depends on independent sensing and intelligence capabilities.
