Nokia’s 5G communications technology is transforming combat. From arctic operations to applications for the Marine Corps and teaming arrangements with leading defense contractors, Nokia is charting the path forward for secure, high-bandwidth and reliable 5G technology with allied armed services.
In today’s complicated and challenging operational realms, being able to communicate securely, reliably and at speed is a must. As defense agencies modernize their communications networks, GovCon executives who understand and leverage these advancements can better align with federal priorities, deliver more competitive proposals and integrate cutting-edge capabilities into existing programs.
Get a 5G edge on your competitors at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Defense R&D Summit on Jan. 26! Discover the latest 5G partnership opportunities directly from Thomas Rondeau, DOD’s principal director for 5G and FutureG, during his illuminating keynote address. Spark collaborations with other GovCon titans and score that big contract. Secure your seat today!
What Does Nokia Make for the Military?
Nokia develops a variety of advanced communications products for NATO-allied militaries, including revolutionary 5G connectivity. Let’s dive into Nokia’s recent headlines regarding 5G advancements.
1. Nokia Demonstrates 5G in Norway
Nokia, in March, demonstrated that its 5G capability can be a combat asset when it participated in the prestigious Joint Viking 2025 Norwegian defense exercise, according to RCR Wireless. The company provided its 5G AirScale radio products with its 5G Standalone Core specifically designed for militaries, improving tactical communications and information-sharing among participating armed forces.
By leveraging Nokia’s 5G services, military squads participating in Joint Viking 2025 had access to battlefield intelligence in real-time, allowing leadership to make faster data-driven decisions. This intelligence was critical for the Joint Viking 2025 command structure, bolstering safety, operational oversight and mission effectiveness.
Around 10,000 troops from nine nations, including the U.S., U.K., Norway, Canada and Finland, participated in Joint Viking 2025, which took place in Bardufoss, north of the Arctic Circle. Joint Viking 2025 was the largest military exercise in Norway this year and featured activity in both the sea and air, including at the Tarva firing range near Ørland. The exercise had a goal of improving allied interoperability, better protecting NATO’s northern flank and testing Norway’s capacity for receiving allied help.
2. How Are Nokia and Kongsberg Teaming on 5G?
Nokia furthered its 5G work with Norway when it signed a memorandum of understanding with Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace in September to develop tactical communications, beginning with 5G for field operations. The arrangement combines Kongsberg’s expertise in military tactical communications with Nokia’s market leadership in commercial 4G, 5G and private network technologies.
The team should deliver resilient, secure and cutting-edge performance networks for allied militaries. Additionally, the collaboration has a goal of simplifying 5G deployment in tactical systems, enhancing interoperable and dependable combat communications.
The deal will have Nokia and Kongsberg evaluate opportunities for 5G in a variety of military applications. These include integration with unmanned sensors and systems. It also includes participation in European Defense Fund efforts such as 5G COMPAD and the Federated Advanced Cyber Physical Test Range program.
The two companies have a longer-term strategy as well. They are examining future technologies, such as Nokia’s 6G integrated sensing and communication, or “network as a sensor,” to improve military readiness and situational awareness.
Defense technology executives cannot afford to miss the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Defense R&D Summit on Jan. 29. It’s designed just for you! Hear from top ranking federal officials and leading industry experts at our three (and growing) panel discussions on 5G, including “Bridging Domains: 5G to FutureG in Defense.” Check out the latest offerings from platinum sponsor Nokia Federal Solutions. Sign up for this elite GovCon conference today!
3. What Is Nokia’s Banshee for the Marine Corps?
Nokia delivered its Banshee tactical private wireless services to the Marine Corps in support of its Tactical Systems Support Activity, or MCTSSA, according to Naval Technology. MCTSSA acquired multiple Banshee devices in early 2025 for further experimentation and integration into USMC exercises.
Nokia’s Banshee family offers long-range, high-speed and secure tactical communications to provide armed forces rapid deployment in difficult conditions. The commercial off-the-shelf system should provide a scalable alternative to typical USMC communication systems.
Banshee’s reduced weight, operator-friendly interface and top security features provide durable and mission-crucial connectivity. A two-day proof-of-concept was performed in 2023 at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma in Arizona.
This isn’t Nokia’s only DOD effort. The company was among five teams that received contracts for the department’s Advanced Spectrum Coexistence demonstration that aims to permit DOD and industry to operate on the same electromagnetic spectrum band simultaneously.
4. Nokia, Motorola Solutions Team for U.K. 5G Services
Nokia and Motorola Solutions in September announced a teaming arrangement to deliver containerized tactical communications network services to U.K. defense agencies. This system brings together Nokia’s 5G AirScale portfolio and Motorola’s Terrestrial Trunked Radio to offer secure and reliable data and voice communications on the front lines.
The offering is housed in deployable containers that can be unpacked and used in less than 30 minutes. Motorola’s Silvus MANET technology contributes the backbone to extend connectivity among different operational environments and geographical regions. Motorola Solutions acquired Silvus Technologies in September.
“Our collaboration with Motorola Solutions to develop a compact, modular solution for reliable mission-critical communications underscores the unmatched flexibility of our private 4G and 5G solutions, designed to meet the evolving needs of defense,” said Giuseppe Targia, head of space and defense at Nokia.
5. Nokia, Lockheed Martin, Verizon Team on 5G for Defense
Nokia, Lockheed Martin and Verizon in March announced the integration of Nokia’s 5G services into Lockheed Martin’s 5G.MIL Hybrid Base Station. In a series of exercises, Lockheed Martin integrated Nokia’s military-quality 5G services into the 5G.MIL Unified Network Solutions.
These tests combined traditional tactical communications systems with 5G using commercial standards and open systems architectures. Using open standards in this method provides for fast integration of advanced capabilities into HBS designs, ensuring novel technology services and products are drop-in capable with no change of vendor lock.
The demonstration used HBS connectivity to hybrid user equipment that enables users to move access links among commercial 5G and tactical waveforms while keeping constant user application sessions on an Android user device.
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