OREANDA-NEWS  Finland and Sweden will enhance Scandinavian sovereign space surveillance capabilities, Finnish Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen said through a press release.

Commenting on the agreement signed between the Finnish space technology company Iceye and the Swedish Defense Materiel Agency (FMV), he said: "We have created a satellite coalition with several countries. This agreement with Sweden is a significant step towards building sovereign Scandinavian space surveillance capabilities."

Under the terms of the Iceye agreement, Finland will supply Sweden with SAR satellites, related software and systems.

"With this acquisition, Sweden will strengthen its space exploration and surveillance capabilities throughout the northern region," Hakkanen said, adding that "Finland's defense and the security of the entire northern region will also be strengthened."

FMV and Iceye signed an agreement in Sweden on January 13 to purchase up to ten SAR satellites capable of providing high-quality images and data with up to 16 cm resolution on earth, day and night, despite clouds, rain and snow.