Helsing-Kongsberg plan surveillance satellite network by 2029

New Satellite Eyes Defence Players Plan a Mid-Term Satellite Network for Defence

2025-12-16 From Peter Königsreuther | Translated by AI 1 min Reading Time

The drone start-up Helsing and the defence company Kongsberg from Norway aim to establish a network of reconnaissance and surveillance satellites by 2029 ...

The Norwegian company Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace builds, among other things, surveillance and reconnaissance satellites. Now they are partnering with drone specialist Helsing to provide Europe’s skies with a kind of “Big Brother” against attacks ...(Image: Kongsberg) — The Norwegian company Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace builds, among other things, surveillance and reconnaissance satellites. Now they are partnering with drone specialist Helsing to provide Europe’s skies with a kind of “Big Brother” against attacks ...
(Image: Kongsberg)

Helsing and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace plan to transport between 75 and 100 satellites into space by 2029, aimed at reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition. They also intend to establish a joint venture, as noted by Helsing CEO Gundbert Scherf. The central goal is to strengthen military deterrence for Europe. The cooperation agreement has already been signed, it is further stated. However, the entire project is expected to cost several million euros. The initial funding will be covered independently, followed by contributions from interested states, though no concrete commitments have been made yet. Also involved is Hensoldt with radar, radio, and optical sensors. The satellites are to be launched into space by Isar Aerospace in the future.

New space security strategy could generate orders

The owners of the new company now hope to receive orders from Germany as well. Satellite-based systems have the advantage of not being affected by the weather. Europe needs such a system to have full control over its territories when necessary. This is likely to align with the German government's plans, which recently presented an initial space security strategy for defence aimed at building credible deterrence and defence. For this, the Federal Ministry of Defence alone is expected to allocate around 35 billion euros (approx. 41 billion USD).

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Date: 08.12.2025

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