


Nokia and Kongsberg sign agreement to advance defense communications with 5G technology


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Nokia and Kongsberg Forge Strategic 5G‑Based Defence Partnership
In a move that underscores the growing convergence of commercial telecom capabilities and military requirements, Finnish network‑equipment giant Nokia and Norwegian defence‑aerospace leader Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (Kongsberg) have signed a multi‑year agreement to develop next‑generation, secure 5G communications for armed forces worldwide. The partnership is designed to accelerate the adoption of 5G‑enabled networks that can operate in contested, cyber‑intensive environments—an increasingly urgent need for NATO allies and other security partners.
Why 5G Matters for Defence
Traditional military communication systems are typically hard‑wired, highly redundant, and engineered for extreme reliability. Yet they can lack the bandwidth, latency, and flexibility required to support the modern “digital battlefield.” 5G technology, with its promise of sub‑millisecond latency, gigabit‑per‑second data rates, and built‑in network slicing, offers a platform for secure, resilient, and mission‑specific communications.
Kongsberg’s website outlines the company’s longstanding role in providing radar, sonar, missile‑defence systems, and integrated combat solutions to navies and air forces. Nokia, by contrast, is the world’s largest supplier of mobile‑network infrastructure and the creator of the first commercial 5G standard. By joining forces, the two firms aim to combine Nokia’s cutting‑edge 5G core, radio access, and edge‑computing capabilities with Kongsberg’s deep domain expertise in defence, ensuring that the resulting networks meet stringent security, interoperability, and survivability requirements.
Scope of the Agreement
The signed agreement is a joint‑development and commercial‑collaboration framework that covers:
Secure 5G Core and Radio Access – Design and prototyping of a 5G core network that supports high‑assurance encryption, authentication, and integrity protection tailored to defence use‑cases. This includes the development of a hardened network function stack and policy‑based resource allocation.
Edge and Cloud Integration – Deployment of edge‑computing nodes at forward‑deployed units to reduce latency for real‑time decision‑making and AI‑driven analytics. The partnership will also explore integration with satellite constellations (e.g., Low Earth Orbit broadband) to provide global, high‑bandwidth coverage.
Network Slicing & Virtualisation – Creation of dedicated network slices for different mission profiles—such as command‑control, asset‑tracking, and high‑speed data links—allowing simultaneous operation of multiple traffic types with isolation and quality‑of‑service guarantees.
Cyber‑Resilience & Threat Defence – Incorporation of threat‑intelligence feeds, automated anomaly detection, and rapid patch‑management to counter emerging cyber‑attack vectors that could jeopardise mission integrity.
Testing & Validation – Field trials with the Royal Norwegian Navy’s frigates and the Swedish Armed Forces’ aircraft platforms. Nokia’s own “5G for Defence” testbed, already used by the U.S. Army for drone swarm control, will serve as a baseline for joint demonstrations.
Strategic Significance
For Nokia
The collaboration positions Nokia as a leading provider of secure 5G solutions for the global defence market. The company has already secured orders for its “5G for Defence” platform in the United Kingdom, United States, and Germany. By partnering with Kongsberg, Nokia can accelerate go‑to‑market in the highly regulated European defence arena and leverage Kongsberg’s existing customer relationships.
For Kongsberg
Kongsberg has traditionally delivered integrated weapons systems but has limited experience in telecom infrastructure. Through the alliance, Kongsberg gains access to Nokia’s world‑class 5G expertise, enabling it to expand its portfolio into high‑speed, low‑latency communication services—critical for future naval and aerial platforms. This complements Kongsberg’s ongoing initiatives such as the “Kongsberg Maritime 5G Solutions” program and the company’s joint ventures with the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (Forsvarets forskningsinstitutt, FFI).
For NATO and European Allies
The partnership offers a template for secure, resilient communications that can operate in contested electromagnetic spectrums. With growing concerns over anti‑access/area denial (A2/AD) strategies employed by peer adversaries, a 5G‑based network that can autonomously re‑route traffic and isolate compromised segments is of immense strategic value. Moreover, the partnership aligns with NATO’s Digital Defence Initiative and the EU’s Defence Industrial Union (DIU) initiatives to foster innovation in cyber‑defence.
Potential Markets and Customers
While the initial trials will focus on Norwegian and Swedish forces, the agreement explicitly targets a broader audience:
- Navies: Secure 5G links between surface vessels, submarines, and shore stations; real‑time sensor fusion for anti‑submarine warfare.
- Air Forces: Low‑latency data links between aircraft and ground control, enabling autonomous drone swarms and enhanced situational awareness.
- Land Forces: Mobile 5G nodes for field command and control, resilient to jamming and denial-of-service attacks.
- Space‑Based Systems: Integration with satellite constellations for global coverage and command links.
The alliance is also positioning itself to compete for upcoming procurement programs such as the U.S. Department of Defense’s “Future Tactical Network” and the European Defence Agency’s “Digital Defence” initiatives.
Future Outlook
Industry analysts note that the convergence of telecom and defence is accelerating, driven by a shift toward network‑centric warfare. Nokia’s recent announcement of a “Secure 5G for Defence” roadmap, coupled with Kongsberg’s ongoing maritime‑domain projects, suggests that the partnership could set the benchmark for secure military communications. The agreement includes provisions for up‑to‑five years of joint development, with options for additional funding from national governments or the European Defence Fund.
The alliance will likely explore advanced topics such as artificial‑intelligence–enabled network management, quantum‑key distribution for end‑to‑end encryption, and low‑probability‑of‑intercept (LPI) waveforms. Successful field demonstrations could unlock a wave of contracts across NATO and EU member states, propelling both Nokia and Kongsberg to the forefront of the emerging 5G‑defence ecosystem.
In an era where connectivity is as much a force multiplier as firepower, the Nokia‑Kongsberg partnership represents a strategic leap toward a more resilient, flexible, and secure battlefield network—one that could shape the future of defence for decades to come.
Read the Full Seeking Alpha Article at:
[ https://seekingalpha.com/news/4494010-nokia-and-kongsberg-sign-agreement-to-advance-defense-communications-with-5g-technology ]