Several NATO states, Finland, Sweden to create joint satellite intelligence network

Representatives of 17 NATO states and Sweden signed an agreement to establish a common satellite intelligence network, Report informs via TASS.

The document was signed by the UK and Sweden, as well as Belgium, Bulgaria, Hungary, Germany, Greece, Spain, Italy, Canada, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Türkiye, and France. The initiative is also supported by the US and Finland, NATO said Wednesday.

According to the British Government's website, the document declares a desire to "develop a framework for improved surveillance from space, through multinational cooperation and sharing of national space-based capabilities."

Prior to the meeting of NATO Defense Ministers in Brussels that ends on Wednesday, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced that the alliance will approve a decision on the establishment of a virtual network that would unite information from commercial and state satellites, both civilian and military, for intelligence purposes, including strategic defense and detection of missile launches.