Japan to supply Ukraine with satellite intelligence — media

Intelligence Online and DeepState OSINT project reported the information.

According to the outlet, the data will be provided by the Japanese iQPS (Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc.). This is the first ever step of this level of cooperation by Japan. 

The Japanese institute signed an agreement with the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) to integrate iQPS systems into Ukrainian intelligence platforms. Ukraine will receive SAR data - images created using synthetic aperture radar technology. 

“iQPS already has 5 satellites in orbit, with the next ones scheduled to be launched by the end of 2026,” DeepState notes. 

Ukraine will have access to SAR imagery from a total of four countries. In addition to Japan, the providers are:

• Finland — Iceye;
• Germany — SAR-Lupe and SARah;
• Italy — COSMO-SkyMed 1 and 2.

"Despite having access to Airbus Group's Pléiades Neo satellites and expanded imaging rights for France’s CSO satellites, Ukraine still significantly lacks the capabilities that the United States has provided — either directly or through access to commercial imagery from Maxar and BlackSky under contracts with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. There is no European operator capable of delivering optical satellite imagery on par with U.S. and commercial offerings, whether in terms of continuous data availability throughout the day or the ability to access live streaming tools," the report said.

• On March 4, it became known that French satellite operator Eutelsat was in talks with European governments to provide satellite communications in Ukraine instead of Starlink.