.png)
SADE Technology Tested During NATO Innovation Range 2026
🚀 SADE Innovations participated in the NATO Innovation Range (NIR) 2026 testing series, which took place across Finland in early June.
NATO Innovation Range brought together approximately 30 Finnish and international companies in Turku, Riihimäki, Joensuu, and Oulu to test defence and security technologies in realistic operational environments. The exercises covered a wide range of capabilities, including command and control systems, communication technologies, sensors, autonomous systems, and AI-driven solutions.
The Finnish Ministry of Defence acted as the national authority responsible for the event. Practical arrangements were coordinated by the Digital Defence Ecosystem (DDE) and DEFINE innovation ecosystems in cooperation with the Borderland Europe initiative as well as Business Turku, Business Oulu, and Business Joensuu.
Sensor Networks and Data Transfer Tested in the Turku Coastline Exercise
In the Turku Coastline setup, SADE Innovations collaborated with Sensoan Oy, KNL Networks, Millog, and Turku University of Applied Sciences to demonstrate next-generation sensor networking and data transfer technologies in a maritime environment.
In practice, Sensoan's DECT NR+ sensors deployed on an island monitored their surroundings and transmitted data to a SADE-developed Edge Node Gateway installed onboard Turku UAS's autonomous vessel eM/S Salama. The SADE Edge Node Gateway processed and packaged the data before transmitting it via KNL Networks' long-range radio link to Millog's TAK situational awareness system. Ultimately, data from tests conducted across different parts of Finland could be monitored in real time through a single operational view.
Connectivity Without Conventional Online Networks
One of the key objectives was to evaluate how communications and situational awareness can be maintained in scenarios where cellular networks, satellite communications, or GPS services are unavailable. The exercise also provided an opportunity to assess the suitability of DECT NR+ technology for defence and public authority applications, as well as to measure the practical communication range between the autonomous vessel and the sensor network deployed in the target area. By using autonomous vessels, sensor data can be retrieved from remote sensor networks without exposing personnel to potentially hazardous environments, improving both operational safety and flexibility.
Exercises like these are valuable because they move technology development from laboratory environments into real-world operational conditions. They also provide an opportunity to validate interoperability between solutions developed by different vendors as part of a broader defence and security ecosystem.
Sami Metsänperä, Digital Defence Ecosystem (DDE) Lead at SADE Innovations, emphasizes that the event once again highlighted the importance of collaboration:
"There is so much strength in cooperation. When skilled companies work together, results follow. Complex capabilities like these cannot be built alone, but through strong partnerships and a shared objective."
Many thanks to all participating partners and event organizers! NATO Innovation Range provided an excellent opportunity to test emerging technologies in practice and to demonstrate what Finnish defence technology and industry collaboration can achieve at their best. 💪
On behalf of SADE, we would also like to thank the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centre). The Turku Coastline setup made extensive use of technology being developed as part of the SADE Booster Dual Use project, which is funded through both SADE Innovations' own investment and a development grant awarded by the Central Finland ELY Centre under an EU co-funded regional development programme. 💪
P.S. A large number of media representatives attended the media day. Links to selected media coverage can be found below!
YLEYLE Lounais-SuomiYLE in SwedishIltasanomatePressi/KauppalehtiTurun SanomatÅbo UnderrättelserMinistry of DefenceBusiness TurkuNATO Innovation Range brought together approximately 30 Finnish and international companies in Turku, Riihimäki, Joensuu, and Oulu to test defence and security technologies in realistic operational environments. The exercises covered a wide range of capabilities, including command and control systems, communication technologies, sensors, autonomous systems, and AI-driven solutions.
The Finnish Ministry of Defence acted as the national authority responsible for the event. Practical arrangements were coordinated by the Digital Defence Ecosystem (DDE) and DEFINE innovation ecosystems in cooperation with the Borderland Europe initiative as well as Business Turku, Business Oulu, and Business Joensuu.
Sensor Networks and Data Transfer Tested in the Turku Coastline Exercise
In the Turku Coastline setup, SADE Innovations collaborated with Sensoan Oy, KNL Networks, Millog, and Turku University of Applied Sciences to demonstrate next-generation sensor networking and data transfer technologies in a maritime environment.
In practice, Sensoan's DECT NR+ sensors deployed on an island monitored their surroundings and transmitted data to a SADE-developed Edge Node Gateway installed onboard Turku UAS's autonomous vessel eM/S Salama. The SADE Edge Node Gateway processed and packaged the data before transmitting it via KNL Networks' long-range radio link to Millog's TAK situational awareness system. Ultimately, data from tests conducted across different parts of Finland could be monitored in real time through a single operational view.
Connectivity Without Conventional Online Networks
One of the key objectives was to evaluate how communications and situational awareness can be maintained in scenarios where cellular networks, satellite communications, or GPS services are unavailable. The exercise also provided an opportunity to assess the suitability of DECT NR+ technology for defence and public authority applications, as well as to measure the practical communication range between the autonomous vessel and the sensor network deployed in the target area. By using autonomous vessels, sensor data can be retrieved from remote sensor networks without exposing personnel to potentially hazardous environments, improving both operational safety and flexibility.
Exercises like these are valuable because they move technology development from laboratory environments into real-world operational conditions. They also provide an opportunity to validate interoperability between solutions developed by different vendors as part of a broader defence and security ecosystem.
Sami Metsänperä, Digital Defence Ecosystem (DDE) Lead at SADE Innovations, emphasizes that the event once again highlighted the importance of collaboration:
"There is so much strength in cooperation. When skilled companies work together, results follow. Complex capabilities like these cannot be built alone, but through strong partnerships and a shared objective."
Many thanks to all participating partners and event organizers! NATO Innovation Range provided an excellent opportunity to test emerging technologies in practice and to demonstrate what Finnish defence technology and industry collaboration can achieve at their best. 💪
On behalf of SADE, we would also like to thank the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centre). The Turku Coastline setup made extensive use of technology being developed as part of the SADE Booster Dual Use project, which is funded through both SADE Innovations' own investment and a development grant awarded by the Central Finland ELY Centre under an EU co-funded regional development programme. 💪
P.S. A large number of media representatives attended the media day. Links to selected media coverage can be found below!