The Estonian Defence Forces (EDF) and European defence-focused venture capital fund Archangel have signed a three-year cooperation agreement to strengthen defence industry development in Estonia and the wider Baltic region. The agreement was signed on 24 September 2026 at the ABCD Conference in Tallinn by Major Ivo Peets, Commander of the EDF's Force Transformation Command, and Nicholas Nelson, Founder and Managing Partner of Archangel. The partnership aims to build closer links between military needs, technology companies and investors.
A Focus on Information Exchange and Technology Adoption
The cooperation will centre on improving the exchange of information and connections between the Defence Forces, defence technology companies and investors active in the security domain. This effort is designed to support the development and adoption of relevant technologies and to create a clearer pathway from innovation to operational use. The agreement reflects a shared commitment to a more connected and responsive defence innovation ecosystem.
Engaging the Baltic Defence Technology Sector
Under the agreement, Archangel will engage with companies and investment opportunities in the Baltic defence technology sector. The Estonian Defence Forces will contribute its perspective on defence needs and the development of relevant technologies. The parties will also work to support opportunities for companies to test and develop solutions in Estonia where appropriate, which may help identify promising technologies earlier.
Archangel's Role in European Defence
Archangel was founded in 2025 to support early-stage defence technology companies with capital, industry expertise and access to a network of defence and technology partners. Its focus is on British, Baltic and Nordic defence-first founders. The fund's portfolio spans autonomous systems, battlefield software, artificial intelligence and secure operational infrastructure, including Labrys Technologies, whose Axiom platform helps organisations securely verify, coordinate, and pay distributed teams operating in challenging environments.
Leadership Perspectives
Major Ivo Peets said that cooperation between the Defence Forces and the defence industry helps build a shared understanding of needs, technology and opportunities. Nicholas Nelson said that Archangel was founded to support the development of Europe's defence technology ecosystem and that working closely with the Defence Forces helps the fund understand user needs. Together, their comments highlight the practical value of closer alignment between military users and private investors.
Strengthening the European Defence Ecosystem
The partnership is intended to strengthen links between defence needs, industry and capital while contributing to the development of the wider European defence ecosystem. By aligning military insights with venture capital, the cooperation can help accelerate the delivery of practical solutions. It also supports Estonia's position as a relevant location for defence technology testing and development.
A Timely Step for Baltic Defence
The agreement comes at a time when defence technology cooperation is growing in importance across the Baltic region and Europe more broadly. Estonia has taken steps to position itself as a practical environment for testing and developing new security solutions. Closer ties between military institutions, technology founders and investors are seen as a way to bring relevant products into operational use more quickly.
The agreement marks a meaningful step for Estonia and the wider Baltic defence technology community. By connecting military expertise with investment and innovation, the Estonian Defence Forces and Archangel aim to accelerate the adoption of relevant capabilities. The collaboration is expected to create new opportunities for defence technology companies and contribute to long-term regional security and resilience.