Nokia and NestAI build capability for AI-enabled defense operations with resilient connectivity in denied environments
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Press Release
Nokia and NestAI build capability for AI-enabled defense operations with resilient connectivity in denied environments
- Integrates AI, deployable 5G and sensing into a single defense capability
- Accelerates sovereign European defense technologies for the next generation of military missions
9 July 2026
Espoo, Finland – Nokia Defense and NestAI, one of Europe’s fastest-growing AI labs for defense, are advancing their technology partnership with the first operational capabilities being developed under the collaboration established alongside Nokia's and Tesi's €100 million joint investment in NestAI in November 2025.
As European defense investment reaches its highest level in decades, defense forces are accelerating the integration of AI-enabled capabilities into their operations. A defining challenge is ensuring resilient, trusted connectivity in denied environments, where communications, sensing and mission-planning must work seamlessly together for AI-enabled operations to succeed in the field.
The partnership is delivering three integrated operational capabilities:
- AI-enabled command-and-control on deployable 5G networks: bringing together Nokia's deployable 5G networks with NestOS, NestAI's adaptive operating system for modern battlefield operations, to help European forces maintain command and control, support autonomous systems and reduce reliance on fixed communications infrastructure.
- Mission planning with assured connectivity: integrating Nokia’s radio-network planning models into NestOS mission-planning tools, enabling forces to assess, plan and adapt connectivity as part of the mission while reducing the risk of coverage gaps during fast-moving multidomain operations.
- Earlier threat detection and response: combining Nokia’s Integrated Sensing and Communications (ISAC) early-detection capability with NestAI’s multi-sensor tracking to provide operators with earlier, wide-area threat awareness and support faster, more informed decision-making in, even in contested environments with limited connectivity.
These capabilities are built for the conditions modern forces now face: denied communications, active electronic attack and emerging drone threats that must be detected before dedicated sensors acquire a target. The partnership addresses all three with European-developed technologies built to NATO operational requirements.
“Defense is moving quickly to adopt AI-enabled capabilities, from mission planning to unmanned operations. But AI only works in the field when it has secure, resilient connectivity behind it. Together with NestAI, Nokia is accelerating the sovereign technologies NATO needs to operate, decide and act in the next generation of missions,” said Mikko Hautala, Chief Geopolitical & Government Relations Officer and Chairman, Nokia Defense.
“Most defense AI is built on assumptions about connectivity, sensor access, and infrastructure that do not hold in contested environments. What we are building with Nokia addresses the real conditions European forces face, from the network underneath to the threats at the edge, on technology that Europe develops and controls," said Peter Sarlin, Founder and Executive Chairman, NestAI.
Nokia Defense provides secure, intelligent connectivity for defense in the AI era. Built on Nokia’s global leadership across fixed, mobile, and transport networks, it delivers resilient, mission-ready communications solutions that strengthen national security and support critical operations worldwide. For more information: www.nokia.com/defense-communications
About Nokia
Nokia is a global leader in connectivity for the AI era. With expertise across fixed, mobile, and transport networks, we’re advancing connectivity to secure a brighter world.
About NestAI
NestAI is a European AI lab for defence that delivers the adaptive operating system for modern battlefield operations. Through NestOS, the company enables adaptive intelligence for unmanned and command systems, AI that continuously learns from operational data and adapts to changing conditions. NestOS is an open, modular and interoperable platform that enables multi-vendor integration without vendor lock-in and preserves long-term European control over critical AI capabilities.
Founded in 2025, NestAI has raised €100M from Nokia and Tesi and grown to a team of close to 200 engineers and scientists, working with the Finnish Defence Forces and other European defence forces as well as leading industry partners including Patria and Bittium. www.nestai.com
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