Nokia Defense and NestAI are advancing their strategic technology partnership, a move set to integrate artificial intelligence, deployable 5G, and advanced sensing into a unified defense capability. This development follows a significant €100 million joint investment by Nokia and Tesi into NestAI, aimed at bolstering Europe's defense technology sector. The collaboration seeks to address the critical need for resilient, mission-ready communications as European nations increase defense spending and accelerate the adoption of AI in military operations.
Addressing Modern Battlefield Challenges
As European defense investment surges to its highest point in decades, military forces are rapidly integrating AI-powered systems to enhance their operational effectiveness. However, a significant challenge remains in ensuring reliable and secure connectivity in contested environments where communication networks are often disrupted or denied. This partnership directly confronts this issue by developing solutions that allow AI to function effectively even under the most demanding battlefield conditions.
Integrated Operational Capabilities
The first core capability being delivered is an AI-enabled command-and-control system operating on deployable 5G networks. By combining Nokia's mobile network infrastructure with NestAI's adaptive NestOS operating system, the solution provides a resilient command hub for modern battlefield operations. This integration supports autonomous systems and significantly reduces the reliance on vulnerable, fixed communications infrastructure, ensuring operational continuity.
Another key innovation focuses on mission planning with assured connectivity, which integrates Nokia’s sophisticated radio-network planning models directly into NestOS mission-planning tools. This allows commanders to assess, plan, and dynamically adapt their communication networks as part of the mission itself. Such foresight helps mitigate the risk of coverage gaps during complex, fast-moving multi-domain operations, ensuring constant information flow.
The partnership also enhances threat detection and response by merging Nokia’s Integrated Sensing and Communications (ISAC) capability with NestAI’s multi-sensor tracking technology. This powerful combination offers operators earlier and more comprehensive wide-area threat awareness, even in environments with limited connectivity. The result is faster, more informed decision-making when facing emerging threats like drones or electronic attacks.
A Sovereign European Solution
A crucial aspect of this collaboration is its focus on developing sovereign European technologies built to meet stringent NATO operational requirements. Mikko Hautala, Chairman of Nokia Defense, emphasized that AI is only effective with secure connectivity, and this partnership accelerates the technologies NATO needs for future missions. This initiative underscores a strategic push for technological independence and control within Europe's defense ecosystem.
Peter Sarlin, Founder of NestAI, noted that many defense AI systems are built on flawed assumptions about connectivity that do not hold up in real-world conflicts. The solutions being developed with Nokia are designed to address the actual conditions European forces face, from the network layer to edge threats. This pragmatic approach ensures the technology is robust, reliable, and controlled within Europe.
The collaboration between Nokia Defense and NestAI marks a significant advancement in European defense technology, directly addressing the challenges of modern warfare. By creating integrated, AI-driven capabilities that function in contested environments, the partnership is delivering the resilient and intelligent tools necessary for next-generation military missions. This strategic initiative not only enhances operational effectiveness but also strengthens Europe's technological sovereignty and collective security posture.