Sweden and Finland to Lead Development of Future NATO Military Communications

Swedish Armed Forces to present NATO Innovation Ranges role and demonstrate military 5G capability with Telia and Ericsson at Revingehed on 4 November.

The Swedish Armed Forces (Försvarsmakten) has announced that it will host a media event on 4 November 2026 at the South Scania Regiment (P 7) and the Revingehed training area in southern Sweden. The event will present Sweden’s new role within the NATO Innovation Ranges initiative and include a live demonstration of advanced 5G technology for military use. Sweden and Finland have been given a central role in developing the Alliance’s future military connectivity, an effort that forms part of NATO’s Rapid Adoption Action Plan, which aims to speed up the introduction of new technology and strengthen the Alliance’s operational capability.

On behalf of the Swedish Government, and with support from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV), the Swedish Armed Forces is establishing a Swedish innovation platform within NATO Innovation Ranges. The work is being carried out in close cooperation with Finland, which shares responsibility for the initiative. The platform is intended to provide environments where next-generation wireless networks and digital solutions can be developed, tested and evaluated against military requirements.

According to the Swedish Armed Forces, both countries are well placed to contribute to NATO’s technical development. They cite world-leading telecommunications companies, advanced digital infrastructure and strong innovation capacity as the basis for Sweden and Finland’s leading position in connectivity and wireless communications.

Connectivity on the modern battlefield

The Swedish Armed Forces states that the ability to share information quickly and securely is decisive on the modern battlefield. Advanced 5G technology offers new ways to connect sensors, autonomous systems and command and control functions, while also making communications more resilient and more available to forces in the field.

To support this, the Swedish Armed Forces, Telia and Ericsson are working together to establish an advanced 5G capability, which is intended to contribute to the development of a future connected defence force.

At the event, attending media will be briefed on the NATO Innovation Ranges initiative and will see examples of advanced 5G technology in military use. The Swedish Armed Forces, FMV, Ericsson and Telia will demonstrate how mobile 5G coverage can be set up using a range of mobile systems, and Ericsson will also show its ISAC system. Individual interviews with representatives of the Swedish Armed Forces, FMV, Telia and Ericsson will be available.

The event will take place on 4 November 2026 from 09:00 to 13:00 at the South Scania Regiment, and the activities will be held outdoors. Registration is required and closes on 2 November at 10:00. Requests should be sent to info-p7@mil.se and must include the applicant’s name, Swedish personal identity number and media organisation. Further details will be sent to registered attendees. The press contact is Malin Brauer, Head of Communications, FST CYBER, Swedish Armed Forces.

Image: Courtesy of Försvarsmakten/Jimmy Croona