Agreement Signed in Lviv
On September 27, in Lviv, during the IT Arena event, Ukrainian and French companies signed a strategic cooperation agreement in space technologies. The partnership foresees the creation of a national consortium to launch a constellation of small intelligent Earth-observation satellites, giving Ukraine sovereign access to space-based monitoring data.
The project has been in preparation for more than a year, modeled on France’s Newspace ecosystem approach.
Goals and Advantages of the Satellite Constellation
The constellation is designed to give Ukraine a high-frequency Earth observation capability, independent of existing European programs.
Key features include:
-
Observation frequency 100 times higher than under the EU’s Copernicus program.
-
Full technological and operational sovereignty — from sensors to end-users.
-
A single digital platform to consolidate multi-source data.
-
Modular architecture enabling gradual scaling of Ukraine’s industrial capacity.
Participants and Partners
-
From Ukraine: Alliance “New Energy of Ukraine”, which unites companies from the defense, space, and IT sectors — including First Contact (defense manufacturer) and the Laboratory of Advanced Jet Engines.
-
From France: Prométhée, a company specializing in nanosatellite constellations for Earth observation.
The signing was attended by:
-
Pierre Heilbronn, Special Representative of the President of France for Ukraine’s Reconstruction.
-
Nicolas Dufourcq, CEO of state investment bank BPI France.
-
Representatives of the French Embassy and project partners.
Strategic Importance for Ukraine
According to the government’s program:
-
Ukraine plans to establish Space Forces by December 31, 2025.
-
By 2030, Ukraine aims to deploy its own national defense satellites and build an integrated air alert and space control system.
This Franco-Ukrainian satellite initiative is therefore positioned as a cornerstone of Ukraine’s defense and digital sovereignty strategy.
Broader Security Context
The deal comes amid heightened global concern over space militarization. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte recently warned that Russia is considering the deployment of nuclear weapons in space, a move that would break international treaties and carry grave risks for global security.
✅ Bottom line: The partnership with France marks a historic step in Ukraine’s path to becoming a space-enabled defense power, ensuring independence in Earth observation and integrating space technologies into its security and reconstruction agenda.
