ICEYE To Establish First Satellite Manufacturing Facility In India

Global space-based intelligence company ICEYE is set to establish its first satellite production facility in India within the next year, marking a significant expansion of its manufacturing footprint in the Asia-Pacific region.

The proposed facility will focus on producing small satellites for defence, surveillance, and environmental monitoring , strengthening India’s growing role in the global space and defence technology ecosystem. The company’s CEO and co-founder Rafal Modrzewski said the India unit will function as a key Asia-Pacific manufacturing hub , complementing ICEYE’s existing operations in Europe and the United States.

Modrzewski said there is a strong alignment between India’s requirements and ICEYE’s capabilities, especially as global demand for space-based intelligence and defence applications continues to rise. He noted that increasing defence expenditure across countries and rapid adoption of satellite-enabled intelligence systems are shaping the sector’s future.

He added that India reflects both trends strongly, making it a strategically important market. According to him, recent global conflicts have further highlighted that space has become a critical frontier for intelligence and national security , increasing the demand for advanced satellite systems.

ICEYE, which operates the world’s most advanced SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) satellite constellation , currently produces around 50 satellites annually. The company plans to significantly scale up production to more than 100 satellites per year by 2028, with India expected to play a central role in this expansion.

In India, the company plans to manufacture around 10 satellites in the first year , with production gradually increasing to 20 to 40 satellites annually in subsequent years. Modrzewski indicated that investment in the Indian facility would likely be in the range of tens of millions of dollars , although final figures are still being finalized.

He emphasised that satellites manufactured in India will not only serve domestic requirements but will also be exported to global markets. Importantly, he clarified that ICEYE’s India operations will not depend solely on government orders, as the company is committed to building a strong manufacturing base regardless of immediate order volumes.

ICEYE already has customers in India through its existing global operations and is actively engaging with both government and potential private sector clients. The company is currently in discussions with relevant government departments regarding its expansion plans, although specific details were not disclosed.

Modrzewski said the company values collaboration with the government, particularly in areas where capabilities and strategic priorities align. He also stated that so far, the company has not faced any significant operational challenges in progressing its India plans.

As part of its expansion strategy, ICEYE is also exploring partnerships in India across multiple segments, including ISRO and private launch service providers , electronics manufacturers, component suppliers, and defence ecosystem players such as drone and integrated systems companies.

The facility is expected to develop a broader supply chain ecosystem in India over the next six to 12 months , enabling local manufacturing capabilities and deeper integration with global space technology networks.

With this move, ICEYE aims to position India as a critical node in its global production and innovation network, strengthening both commercial and strategic applications of satellite-based intelligence systems.