NATO Europe pushes for faster commercial satellite imaging as demand surges

According to Planet Labs chief Will Marshall, NATO countries in Europe are accelerating purchases of commercial satellite imagery to improve strategic early warning and reduce dependence on U.S. intelligence. The demand, fueled by Ukraine’s successful use of commercial images for battlefield intelligence, has created a pipeline of about $4 billion in contracts for Planet Labs, with $1 billion expected to close soon. Marshall pointed to Sweden’s recent agreement for exclusive satellite access as a model for other allies.

To meet rising orders, Planet Labs announced a new manufacturing facility in Berlin that will produce its Pelican satellites, the first such plant outside San Francisco, with the first unit slated for completion by the end of 2026. NATO’s military committee chair, Italian Adm. Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, underscored the alliance’s broader push for defense manufacturing and heightened readiness amid Russian hybrid threats.