German Bundeswehr to receive 40 low-orbit satellites in Rheinmetall contract

German defence conglomerate Rheinmetall has been awarded its first-ever contract to supply satellites to the Bundeswehr.

Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger confirmed the initiative, stating, “The plan is to deliver 40 low-orbit satellites to the Bundeswehr over the next two years,” Handelsblatt reports.

Sources familiar with the matter told the publication that the contract is ready for signing, with an estimated value of up to €3 billion. The project will see Rheinmetall develop the satellites in partnership with Finnish startup Iceye, with manufacturing set to take place at the company’s Neuss facility in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Beyond satellite production, Rheinmetall intends to collaborate with Iceye to enhance data analysis technologies, enabling the Bundeswehr to receive processed intelligence directly from satellite operations.

Industry analysts note that this initiative could significantly bolster Germany’s capabilities in space-based reconnaissance and intelligence, providing the Bundeswehr with a modernized low-orbit satellite network and advanced real-time data analytics.

By Vafa Guliyeva