The NATO Innovation Range Capability Demonstrator testing event will be held in Oulu, Finland, on 28–29 October 2026. The event will bring together developers of defence and security technology, national stakeholders and research organisations, NATO, and international representatives from the sector.

The event is an invitation-only gathering for a select group of participants. It is not open to the general public. The Defence Administration, BusinessOulu, the Digital Defence Ecosystem (DDE), and DEFINE are responsible for the practical arrangements for the event, in collaboration with NATO.

The NATO Innovation Range (NIR) is a NATO-led collaborative framework aimed at accelerating the development, testing, and deployment of technologies critical to defence and security. At NIR testing events, new technologies and solutions can be trialled in real-world operational environments and their functionality and interoperability assessed as part of broader systems and operational frameworks. The Ministry of Defence acts as the national authority responsible for the NATO Innovation Range Future Connectivity (NIR FC) framework.

Future Connectivity combines next-generation communication technologies and autonomous systems

The NIR FC framework provides an opportunity to bring together national testing and development environments, technological expertise, and other stakeholders whose innovations can be used to create new capabilities for defence and security authorities.

The NIR FC initiative examines the interoperability of future communication technologies and autonomous systems. The theme covers, amongst other things, 5G and 6G technologies, as well as other advanced data transmission and connectivity solutions.

Creoir’s role in the capability demonstrator

Creoir is participating NATO Innovation Range, contributing to the “Autonomous ISR Chain” demonstrator.  Integrated into the ISR chain, Creoir Voice AI solution enables hands-free voice interaction for the drone operator. We are happy to collaborate with the Ministry of Defence, NATO and industry partners to showcase defence technologies that support European security and sovereignty

Oulu’s versatile technology testing environment enables the NATO Innovation Range Capability Demonstrator event

The event will be held at the OuluZone testing environment in Oulu, under changing real-world conditions. Oulu’s internationally renowned technology ecosystem is built around concepts like wireless communications, digital technologies, and advanced research. The expertise covers, for example, 5G and 6G technologies, sensor technology, artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, embedded technologies, edge computing, and cyber security.

The purpose of the Capability Demonstrator event is to present the NATO Innovation Range Future Connectivity (NIR FC) initiative established upon a joint Finnish and Swedish initiative, as well as national testing, evaluation, validation, and verification capabilities (TEVV), to Finnish stakeholders and experts from NATO and allied nations. The TEVV capabilities and technologies to be showcased include, amongst other things, drone countermeasures and sensor fusion, AI-based command and control and situational awareness, resilient communications (5G/6G), and the integration of unmanned systems. The event will also highlight Finland’s national testing and development capabilities more broadly.