THE Prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited her premises this afternoon Iceye company In Neo Psychiko, which is active in the construction and operation sector satellites SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar). The company manufactures their two first Greek satellites SARwhere will be put in orbit by the end of 2025while at its premises in Greece it operates New, Exclusive Line of Satellite Subystems.
The Prime Minister, accompanied by Digital Governance Minister Dimitris Papastergiou and Deputy Minister Christos Dermentzopoulos, toured the company’s offices and production sites and was informed of its actions by Iceye Rafał Modrzews
At the start of the visit, the Prime Minister said: “Let me make three introductory observations. First of all, it is great that it is a European success story And that Europe can prove that it can have a leading presence in very advanced technologies of the future. Second, I am very glad you have presence in Greecebecause we want to be part of this ecosystem and attract talents from abroad and from Greece, ensuring that Greek human capital can contribute to the development of the company. And of course, a third observation is that We become part of your ecosystem through our own satelliteswho are critical in terms of monitoring of the environmentwhether we are talking about natural disasters or other applications, but also about the defense and security of the country.
We are living at a time when investment in defense and security have become a European priority. There are many European resources that are mobilized. At the moment, this is national money here. Let’s hope that at some point it will be European. It is crucial for us to remain at the technological peak of the progress we make as Europe. And when we choose our winners in these new emerging technologies, we have to support, I think, these technologies, as well as the companies that have proven that they can really lead worldwide technologies that are completely critical to our future security.
Therefore, I am happy to be here and I look forward to learning more about what you are doing in Greece, what satellites have to offer us, more broadly in the government, and how you can expand your presence in Greece by increasing employment and making your office in Greece one of your most important offices. “
For his part, Digital Governance Minister Dimitris Papastergiou noted: “On our today’s visit with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at Iceye’s premises we saw with great pleasure that the company did not just open an office but typically but manufactures Greek microfibers. Now, parts of world production are manufactured in our country by the company that is a leader in space technology. It is extremely important that through the Greek microfiber program, Greek scientists have returned And they are employed in the ecosystem. The General Secretariat for Telecommunications and Post and ELEDE (Hellenic Space Center) with the contribution of ESA (European Space Agency) creates the conditions for Greece gaining its own strength in space. And it is very important to see solutions in various policy areas that can “come” from space. “
The first 2 Greek satellites SAR will be orbited by the end of 2025
During the visit, Kyriakos Mitsotakis was informed by the Iceye leadership of the first two SAR satellites manufactured by the company on behalf of the Greek state and is expected to put in orbit by the end of 2025contributing significantly to the actions of the National Micreed Program. Now the departments manufactured at this time in Greece make up about 15% of each satellite and are exported to the construction of the company’s global fleet.
Earth observation satellites will attempt day and night, regardless of the weather and will offer almost real -time high -precision satellite images. Will utilized to monitor marine and land environment, managing natural disasterssuch as floods and fires, as well as for Security and Defense Applicationswhile combining with artificial intelligence tools to provide high -value analytical products to the end user, enhancing the overall technological and strategic autonomy in the field of crisis management and natural disasters.
It was also announced that, through the National Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of National Defense will have access to satellite satellite SARS data.
New, exclusive line of satellite subsystems in Greece
The Prime Minister was also informed of an extremely important development in space technology: Iceye Hellas is planning In 2026 to start in Greece complete construction of satellitesfrom the first accessory to the final assembly. To date, production has been done exclusively in Finland, although the company’s satellites are sold and used worldwide.
In this way Greece will become the second point in Europe where Iceye will build satellites from zero, creating a production line that can produce 3-4 satellites and at least 8 per year.
The critical satellite subsystems for the global fleet of the company, including parts of the satellites to be orbited on behalf of the Greek state, are manufactured in the company’s production unit in our country by engineers, developers and craftsmen, Several of whom they have returned from abroad in order to contribute to the development of the Greek space industry.
The company has a presence in 10 countries, employs more than 900 employees and has secured funding of more than $ 500 million.
The visit was also attended by the Government, the Secretary -General of Telecommunications and Post Constantine Karantzalos and the Secretary General of National Security Thanos Dokos.