NATO’s DIANA (Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic) programme is expanding its network with new sites. Finland has now become part of the network after the board of the DIANA initiative approved a proposal to establish an accelerator and two test centres in the country. Their mission is to help companies develop technology, innovation and business for the civil and defence sectors.
The initiative aims to identify future challenges in the defence and security sector and work with companies to find technological solutions. More specifically, it focuses on new technologies such as artificial intelligence, autonomy and quantum technologies, which are dual-use in nature, meaning they can be commercially exploited in both the civil and defence sectors in NATO countries.
Preparatory work began in the spring of 2023, and operations have now reached their desired conclusion. A DIANA accelerator is being set up by the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland in Otaniemi, Espoo, in collaboration with Aalto University and the University of Helsinki.
This will focus on the communication systems and quantum technologies of the future, providing a special training programme to help companies develop deep technologies and innovations for commercial and defence purposes. It will also provide companies with extensive and varied training on how to develop business opportunities in the defence sector. These services will be specifically targeted at start-ups and SMEs with limited experience in the defence and security sector.
“The long-awaited decision is significant for Finland as it is the first time that Finnish operators will be able to harness their cutting-edge expertise for NATO’s DIANA innovation activities on such a large scale,” says Sauli Eloranta, Vice President of Defence at VTT. “Our country has a large number of technologically advanced and innovative start-ups and SMEs, which have found it difficult to invest in export in the defence sector.
“DIANA will support this activity free of charge by using the accelerators to train companies in NATO technical and procurement requirements and by developing company-specific business training programmes. Such a mechanism provides a high-speed lane for companies to enter a difficult but fastest growing industry internationally – I hope Finnish companies will participate as widely as possible.”
Test centres will also be established at the University of Oulu and VTT’s Otaniemi site, designed to provide tools for further technological development. The Otaniemi site will focus on secure connectivity, space and quantum technologies, while the test centre at the University of Oulu will offer companies the opportunity to test 6G network technologies.
These test centres offer a valuable place where companies can strengthen their technological expertise and competitiveness. The research infrastructure and experts provided by the test centres will allow companies to evaluate their own concepts or technologies and secure support to develop them. In practice, the test centres will consist of a comprehensive set of existing research facilities and equipment, as well as top-level expertise in the sector. The centres will also support the development of start-ups participating in the accelerator programme.
It will be possible for all companies in NATO countries to purchase the test centre services, regardless of whether or not they belong to a DIANA accelerator.
To learn more, visit the DIANA website diana.nato.int.
