STOCKHOLM (Reuters) – Sweden launched its first military communications satellite in August last year, the government said on Friday, the first of more planned military surveillance satellites.
The GNA-3 test satellite was launched from California in the U.S. and is operated by the Swedish Armed Forces. A more advanced surveillance satellite is expected to be launched in the coming months and another one in coming years.
“This is just the first step on our space journey and we look forward to seeing the defence’s space capabilities continue to develop,” Defence Minister Pal Jonson said in a statement.
Jonson said Sweden, which joined NATO in March 2024 after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine forced a rethink in national security policy, was well placed to develop its space programme, citing its large manufacturing industry and its space base in Kiruna, northern Sweden.
“Because of this, we can contribute unique capabilities as a NATO ally,” he said.
Future satellites will be launched from the base in Kiruna, the government said.
(Reporting by Johan Ahlander; Editing by Kate Mayberry)
