In a pioneering demonstration, Telia’s Finnish 5G network has enabled the remote operation of unmanned Patria armored vehicles from nearly 100 kilometers away.

During recent military exercises in Lapland, a Patria AMV XP 8x8 armored vehicle was equipped with remote control capabilities and steered from a command center. Thanks to a 5G network slice, the vehicle could be securely operated at distance, even at high speeds.

A network slice is created by reserving capacity within a 5G network for a specific service or customer.

Janne Koistinen, 5G Program Director, Telia Finland: “The possibilities of advanced 5G slicing have already produced significant results in industry and logistics. We now see the rapidly growing defense industry as an important focus of innovation for dual-use cases of technology in the development of Europe’s defense capabilities.”

The test took place within the framework of the Patria-led eALLIANCE, a multi-year program aiming to boost innovation and collaboration across Finland’s defense sector.

Matti Saarikko, Chief Technology Officer, Patria and leader of the eALLIANCE program: “The development of unmanned vehicles for reconnaissance, support and combat missions is a significant area of development in the eALLIANCE program, and in the defense industry more broadly. In these tests, Patria ’s armored vehicle has been controlled and driven remotely from a distance of almost 100 kilometres. This is a significant step forward.”

Launched in 2024 and part-funded by Business Finland, eALLIANCE is projected to run for five years and currently includes more than 30 companies. The program’s overall budget is approximately EUR 85 million. For more information, [click here](https://www.patriagroup.com/about-us/research-and-innovations/ealliance-securing-societies#:~:text=Patria-led eALLIANCE programme%2C partly funded by Business Finland%2C,prosessing as well as building a holistic metaverse).