Nokia and Latvia’s mobile operator Latvijas Mobilais Telefons (LMT) have entered a strategic partnership to develop a 5G-based tactical communications system tailored for defense applications across the Baltic region. The collaboration merges Nokia’s expertise in advanced radio technology with LMT’s experience in military-grade mobile network deployment, aiming to deliver a secure, resilient, and high-capacity platform capable of supporting modern battlefield operations. The initiative focuses on building a multi-domain network architecture that ensures real-time data transfer between sensors, unmanned systems, command posts, and field units. This integrated system will enhance situational awareness and decision-making in contested environments. Designed to be scalable and interoperable, the network supports integration of AI-driven analytics, autonomous systems, and mission-critical edge computing to enable faster response cycles in dynamic tactical scenarios. The project builds upon years of cooperation between Nokia and LMT, who have previously collaborated to develop 5G-based defense applications for the Latvian military and NATO forces deployed along the eastern flank. The two companies successfully tested a portable 5G tactical network at the Ādaži military base, using Nokia’s Banshee radio platform as the backbone for secure, field-deployable communications. The new agreement deepens that partnership, positioning Latvia as a regional innovation hub for defense-grade communications. It aligns with broader NATO goals to advance secure 5G and beyond-5G (B5G) networks, supporting multi-domain command and control. Nokia’s broader defense communications strategy has expanded rapidly across Europe and North America. In 2024–2025, it announced partnerships with Motorola Solutions in the UK to develop containerized tactical networks, and with Rheinmetall in Germany to integrate 5G radio systems with software-defined military networks. It also collaborated with Lockheed Martin and Verizon to advance the 5G.MIL Hybrid Base Station, a modular system designed for multi-domain operations. Collectively, these programs underline Nokia’s transformation into a key defense communications integrator, leveraging commercial 5G technologies for secure military use. The Nokia–LMT venture marks a strategic milestone for Baltic security, enhancing NATO interoperability and resilience against electronic and cyber threats.
