Five leading Nordic defence and technology players become part of new initiative aimed at strengthening regional resilience

As Europe faces a rapidly evolving security landscape, closer Nordic cooperation in defence and security is essential.

Now, five of Europe's most prominent defence and technology companies, Ericsson, Kongsberg, Nokia, Patria and Saab, have joined the Defence Track within Nordic Compass, a pan-regional Round Table for industry. Here, they will work as founding drivers of the track.

At a time when Europe must take greater responsibility for its own defence, this signals a willingness from Nordic industry to contribute even more to Europe's defence needs.

Jyri Häkämies, chair of the Nordic Compass Defence Track and former Defence Minister of Finland, says:

“The commitment of these five leading companies in the Defence Track is a significant strengthening of the Nordic Compass alliance, at a moment of rapid acceleration in European defence efforts.”

For the Nordics, home to globally competitive defence and technology firms with broad, diversified capabilities, the increased defence budgets present a significant opportunity to grow new and innovative possibilities in the Nordic defence sector while increasing the resilience of the region as a whole.

Micael Johansson, CEO of Saab Group, says:

“When the five founding members of Nordic Compass new defence track join the initiative, we contribute with a powerful platform for growth and responsibility towards Europe’s security needs. Saab is proud to be a driving force, bringing cutting‑edge technology and a long‑term commitment to sustainable security solutions that enhance Nordic resilience and help the region meet today’s rapidly shifting security environment.”

Panu Routila, President and CEO of Patria, says:

“Patria warmly welcomes this strengthened collaboration with four other leading Nordic companies. Nordic collaboration has always been strong and is now more important than ever in accelerating and developing European defence capabilities to meet today’s security demands and those of the years ahead.”

Mikko Hautala, Chief Geopolitical & Government Relations Officer and Chairman of Nokia Defence, says:

“Defence is increasingly based on digital technologies alongside traditional military capabilities. Advances in connectivity, AI and autonomous systems are changing how nations build resilience and maintain their security. The challenge now is to accelerate adoption and turn innovation into operational capability at scale. The new Defence Track sends a clear message: industry is committed to partnering with governments to deliver that outcome.”

Eirik Lie, President and CEO of Kongsberg, says:

”Closer defence cooperation between Nordic countries and industries strengthens cross-border defence capabilities, while promoting regional security and stability. With geopolitical uncertainty on the rise, Kongsberg is a key security partner in the Nordics, and we are proud to join Nordic Compass to further strengthen collaboration and accelerate the build-up of necessary capabilities to support future safety, stability and growth across the region.”

Börje Ekholm, President and CEO of Ericsson, says:

“We look forward to contributing to the Nordic Compass alliance. 5G is becoming part of the digital backbone of modern defence, and Ericsson’s leading 5G capabilities will shape the needed trusted, scalable, and interoperable defence communications.”

The launch of the Nordic Compass defence track takes place at the margins of a high-level meeting in Helsinki. During the visit, representatives of the five companies will meet with Finnish President Alexander Stubb to discuss the role of industry in Nordic defence and security.

The Nordic countries collectively account for roughly 10 per cent of NATO defence expenditure in Europe, placing the region as the top 4 largest spender in Europe. Nordic defence and technology companies play a strong role in boosting economic growth and strengthening employment.

About Nordic Compass

Nordic Compass – the Nordic Round Table for Industry - is a new industry alliance established to advance Nordic competitiveness and resilience.

Launched on May 12, Nordic Compass now gathers a total of 30 leading Nordic companies, foundations and organisations as partners in various capacities*, including Aker ASA, Aker Solutions, Alfa Laval, atNorth, Carl Bennet AB, Chr. Augustinus Fabrikker, Danfoss, Embla Medical, EQT, Ericsson, EY, The Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra, KONE, Kongsberg, Kromann Reumert, McKinsey & Company, Nasdaq Nordic, Nokia, Nordea, Nordic Innovation, Novo Nordisk Foundation, Nscale, Patria, Saab, SEB, Vattenfall, Wallenberg Investments, and Ørsted. As co-initiators, Dalberg Media and the Enterprise Think Tank oversee day-to-day operations.

In the first year, Nordic Compass partners focus on four strategic tracks: Capital Markets, Deep Tech, Defence, and Energy. Experts will identify industry-backed initiatives in each priority area that can be scaled and implemented through Nordic coordination. The first set of initiatives will be presented at the Nordic Compass Summit in Gothenburg on November 4-5, 2026.

* Full list available on the website www.nordiccompass.org.