On June 12, 2025, NATO unveiled a new defense initiative called SINBAD (Satellite Intelligence for NATO Broad Area Defense), aimed at enhancing satellite monitoring of military activity in Eastern Europe, including Ukraine, Russia’s border regions, and the Arctic. According to Bloomberg, the project is being developed in partnership with U.S.-based Planet Labs and has already received high praise from NATO’s leadership.

SINBAD is a next-generation integrated satellite surveillance system that combines wide-area scanning, automated AI-driven analysis, and rapid transmission of intelligence data. Admiral Pierre Vandier, NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, stated that the platform is designed to address gaps in monitoring military activity in high-tension zones, serving as a foundation for early warning and swift coordination of responses.

The program places particular emphasis on Ukraine, where military conflict has persisted for over a decade, as well as developments along Russia’s borders with Eastern European nations. SINBAD can track movements of heavy equipment, construction of military facilities, and troop redeployments in real time. Automated processing of satellite imagery enables the detection of even minor changes, allowing for the anticipation of potential crisis scenarios.

Beyond Ukraine and Eastern Europe, NATO is focusing on the Arctic, a region increasingly central to economic and strategic competition. With shrinking ice cover, access to natural resources and new maritime routes is expanding. NATO aims to strengthen oversight of Arctic waters and infrastructure, particularly in light of growing activity from Russia and China.

Currently in its pilot phase, SINBAD is slated for full-scale deployment in January 2026. It is expected to become a permanent component of NATO’s defense architecture, enhancing transparency and providing allies with reliable real-time intelligence. This move is part of a broader modernization effort amid a shifting global balance of power.

The technology not only bolsters surveillance capabilities but also expands the role of satellites in defense—from monitoring traditional threats to supporting cybersecurity and managing migration flows. This is particularly relevant ahead of the NATO summit in The Hague in late June, where leaders are expected to discuss raising defense spending to 5% of GDP. Of this, 3.5% would be allocated to military needs, with 1.5% directed toward cybersecurity, surveillance technologies, and critical infrastructure protection.

Part of the funding is also planned to support Ukraine, a point sparking active debate among member states, including Canada and Luxembourg, which are considering incorporating aid to Kyiv into their new budgetary commitments.

SINBAD underscores a gradual shift toward high-tech solutions in the military domain. Satellite intelligence is becoming integral to strategic thinking, ensuring transparency and agility in a rapidly evolving world. For NATO, this is not just a step forward but a transformation of defense cooperation in an era of digital threats and hybrid conflicts.

SINBAD System: Strengthening NATO Defense Surveillance