IHI Corporation has reached an agreement with Surrey Satellite Technology Limited ("SSTL"), a global leader in manufacturing small satellites, to collaborate on the development of a constellation to strengthen Japan’s capability in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR).

A signing ceremony between IHI and SSTL will be held on September 10, 2025, during the DSEI UK defense event in London, United Kingdom ^(*1).

This collaboration is announced as the United Kingdom and Japan further strengthen ties in space and defense, as set out in the Hiroshima Accord in 2023 ^(*2). A meeting of defense ministers in Tokyo in August 2025 committed both countries to expanding cooperation, including on emerging technologies such as satellite-based Earth observation and space domain awareness.

SSTL, founded in 1985 as a spin-out of the University of Surrey, is a pioneer in the field of small satellite manufacturing, and became a subsidiary of Airbus Defence and Space Ltd (“Airbus”) in 2009. To date, SSTL has developed, manufactured, and operated over 70 small- and medium-sized satellites for government agencies and military clients in the UK and other countries around the world. Notably, SSTL designed and manufactured TYCHE（Figure 1） - the UK Ministry of Defence’s first sovereign ISR satellite – which was successfully launched in August 2024. Since then it has signed for the more capable JUNO follow-on ISR spacecraft.

IHI and SSTL will collaborate in pursuing opportunities to develop Japan's ISR capability by leveraging SSTL’s satellites and satellite buses ^(*3), which have a proven track record in on-orbit operations. This agreement also includes enabling the sharing of imagery and capacity between the constellations that SSTL is building in the UK and IHI will develop in Japan.

This initiative aims not only to enhance national security and resilience in Japan but also to promote the development of Japan's space industry while strengthening Japan-UK collaboration in the field of Earth observation and ISR capability.

Amid growing geopolitical instability, the Japanese government is increasing its investments to strengthen national security to address existing and potential challenges – an effort that IHI is committed to supporting.
In line with its management philosophy of "Contribute to the development of society through technology," IHI aims to lead the development of small satellite constellations by leveraging its engineering expertise. It is intended that the constellation will eventually include various types of satellites - Optical, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), VDES, radio frequency (RF), infrared (IR) and Hyperspectral imaging. The constellation will aim to provide target detection and tracking capabilities essential for operations on land and at sea.

IHI intends to play an important role not only in strengthening Japan’s own national and economic security, but in deepening cooperation with its allies and like-minded countries including UK through the sharing of satellite imagery and satellite capacity.

IHI is already working with ICEYE Oy, a world leader in SAR satellites based in Finland, to build a constellation of up to 24 SAR satellites to provide Earth observation data for security, public, and commercial purposes.

Atsushi Sato, Director, Managing Executive Officer; President of IHI’s Aero Engine, Space & Defense Business Area, comments: “Today’s world is becoming increasingly unstable. Japan’s National Security Strategy recognizes the importance of opening the door to cooperation and collaboration with allied and like-minded nations that share its strategic interests. IHI participated in the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) initiated by Japan’s Ministry of Defense in 2020 as an industry partner responsible for engine development and has been working closely with UK industry. This agreement with SSTL marks the first step toward realizing the next-generation sovereign capabilities in space that will be critical to Japan’s national security in the years to come.”

SSTL Executive Chairman Professor Sir Martin Sweeting comments : “Space has become critically important for national security in recent years, and increasingly nations are deploying satellites in support of their Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance requirements, as they can provide global reach, privacy and priority. SSTL is a recognized pioneer and leader in this area, and not only designs and manufactures spacecraft but also has demonstrated dependable and reliable services from those satellites. According to UK government, the UK MOD and Japan MOD have a deeply aligned and strengthening strategic partnership focused on defence and security cooperation, and are each others’s closest security partners between Europe and Asia. By leveraging their unique UK and Japan industrial capabilities and strengths through this Teaming Agreement, IHI and SSTL are better able to address this UK-Japan security cooperation through complex space missions and operational services.”

<About IHI>
IHI Corporation is a major comprehensive heavy-industry manufacturer of Japan, tracing its roots to Japan’s first modern shipbuilding facility established in 1853. It has expanded its business ever since, in recent years providing wide-ranging solutions in the four main areas of Resource, Energy and Environment; Social Infrastructure; Industrial Systems and General-purpose Machinery; and Aero Engine, Space and Defense. In the field of satellites, IHI Aerospace provides propulsion systems and devices, while Meisei Electric provides sensors for space companies and organizations such as JAXA. IHI has also worked recently to solve its customers’ problems by engaging in business using satellite information and data.

＜About SSTL＞
SSTL is a wholly owned subsidiary of Airbus Defence and Space Ltd (“Airbus”) with broad space sector capabilities, EO imagery and EO application related services. SSTL manufactures and deploys space and ground infrastructure for satellite operation systems, specializing in Earth Observation (EO) and Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) satellites. It also provides services including spacecraft operations, and comprehensive training and licensed production in support of commercial and government end-users.
・Website: https://www.sstl.co.uk/

*1: DSEI UK:（https://www.dsei.co.uk/ ）
DSEI is the largest integrated defence and security exhibition in London. The next event will take place from 9 to 12 September 2025 at Excel London.

*2: Hiroshima Accord
On May 18, 2023, ahead of the G7 Hiroshima Summit, Japan and the United Kingdom announced a comprehensive partnership agreement aimed at further deepening cooperation between the two countries. The agreement seeks to strengthen collaboration particularly in the areas of security, economy, technology, energy, and climate change.

*3：Satellite Bus
The platform that handles the basic functions of a satellite, such as communication, power supply, and attitude control, and serves as the foundation for mounting mission equipment (such as observation devices)

＜Related Press Release＞
22 May 2025
IHI and ICEYE agree to cooperate to develop earth-observation satellite constellation - Satellites to be manufactured and operated in Japan to strengthen national security - Imagery & capacity could be shared with Japan’s allies & like-minded countries | 2025FY | News Articles | IHI Corporation

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