Ericsson has been approved as a supplier under the United Kingdom’s Tactical Communication Systems framework, a procurement vehicle designed for public sector organizations. The selection allows domestic authorities and military agencies to purchase products from the vendor’s portfolio, including specific 5G offerings intended for mission-critical applications.
The UK government stated that the framework provides a mechanism for acquiring specialized tactical communication and information systems. The procurement vehicle carries a budget of up to £8 billion over an eight-year period. Ericsson was selected under sections covering both services and components.
The company highlighted the low latency and high bandwidth capabilities of its 5G technology as key benefits for the defense sector. These features are intended to assist armed forces in connecting sensors, personnel, and platforms. Potential uses for the technology include multi-domain command and control platforms, as well as intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems.
Nadine Allen, head of Ericsson UK, said the company can now work directly with the UK’s Ministry of Defence. She described the goal as delivering secure, resilient, and future-proof communications to serve as the foundation for the UK’s digital defense capabilities.
Ericsson and rival Nokia are both actively pursuing the defense segment with 5G equipment. Earlier this year, the Swedish vendor announced a standalone 5G trial conducted with specialist Leonardo and the Italian Navy.
