Five major defence and technology companies from the Nordic region have joined the Nordic Compass Defence Track as its founding corporate drivers. The group includes Ericsson, Kongsberg, Nokia, Patria, and Saab. This new industry forum is designed to translate closer regional cooperation into deployable capabilities, combining traditional military hardware with digital infrastructure.
The initiative aligns with a broader policy shift toward greater European responsibility for security and increased national defence budgets. The Nordic countries currently account for approximately 10 per cent of NATO defence expenditure in Europe, placing the region among the continent’s four largest spenders.
Jyri Häkämies, a former Finnish defence minister who chairs the new track, stated that the commitment of these five leading companies significantly strengthens the Nordic Compass alliance during a period of rapid acceleration in European defence efforts.
The composition of the group links the established military businesses of Saab, Kongsberg, and Patria with the digital infrastructure capabilities of Ericsson and Nokia. Nordic Compass expects this mix to support work across traditional defence systems, secure communications, artificial intelligence, and autonomous technologies.
Mikko Hautala, Chief Geopolitical and Government Relations Officer and Chairman of Nokia Defence, noted that defence is increasingly based on digital technologies alongside traditional military capabilities, with advances in connectivity and AI changing how nations build resilience.
Ericsson views 5G networks as part of the infrastructure required to connect modern military capabilities securely and at scale. President and Chief Executive Börje Ekholm said the company looks forward to contributing to the alliance, adding that 5G is becoming part of the digital backbone of modern defence.
Saab indicated the forum could provide a platform for growth and greater industry responsibility towards Europe’s security requirements. Patria emphasised the value of established Nordic cooperation, while Kongsberg linked closer cross-border industrial ties to stronger regional security and stability.
