Japan is set to provide Ukraine with critical geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) support. Since late February 2024, Tokyo has been negotiating the transfer of radar satellite imagery to Kyiv amid an extended pause in U.S. military assistance.
Japan’s iQPS, a tech giant manufacturing and operating satellites, has already deployed five orbital satellites and plans to launch an additional 24 by 2027. This expansion will enable near-continuous, round-the-clock surveillance of Ukrainian territory, delivering real-time intelligence with unprecedented precision. The enhanced capabilities will allow Ukrainian forces to track enemy movements more effectively, identify hidden fortifications and shelters, and plan strategic operations with greater accuracy. GEOINT technology — particularly radar imaging — offers a unique advantage: it captures high-resolution images of the Earth’s surface regardless of weather conditions or time of day. This is especially crucial in active combat zones, where cloud cover or nighttime darkness often obscures enemy activity from conventional optical surveillance.
The Japan-Ukraine GEOINT partnership extends beyond military aid, carrying significant geopolitical weight. For Japan, this is an opportunity to reaffirm its steadfast commitment to global security and position itself as a reliable, forward-thinking ally. For Ukraine, it means not only gaining vital intelligence but also diversifying its sources of reconnaissance data — reducing its dangerous reliance on a single supplier. Tokyo also sees this collaboration as a strategic move to strengthen its own intelligence capabilities amid shifting geopolitical dynamics, particularly in light of evolving U.S. policies toward Ukraine.