Telia and Patria Successfully Test Remote-Controlled Armoured Vehicle Using 5G in Finland

In a significant leap for defence technology, Finnish telecom company Telia and defence manufacturer Patria have successfully demonstrated the remote operation of an unmanned armoured vehicle using a 5G network. The trial took place in the challenging environment of Lapland during military exercises and showcased the potential of modern communication systems in transforming how military assets can be controlled and deployed.

The centre of attention was the Patria AMV XP 8x8 armoured vehicle, which was operated remotely from nearly 100 kilometres away. What made this feat possible was Telia’s use of a secure 5G network slice — a specialised part of the 5G network dedicated solely to the task. This ensured ultra-low latency, high reliability, and consistent data transmission, even when the vehicle was moving at high speeds over rugged terrain.

This demonstration was part of a larger initiative called the eALLIANCE programme, which aims to drive forward digital and technological innovation within Finland’s defence sector. The five-year programme, launched in 2024 and partly funded by Business Finland, brings together more than 30 companies with a combined budget of around EUR 85 million. Patria leads the effort, focusing on future-ready defence technologies.

According to Patria’s Chief Technology Officer, Matti Saarikko, the successful remote operation of a military vehicle from such a long distance marks a pivotal achievement. It opens doors for using unmanned ground vehicles in a variety of missions — including reconnaissance, support, and potentially direct combat roles — while keeping human operators out of harm’s way.

Telia’s 5G Programme Director, Janne Koistinen, emphasized that this trial is a key example of how advanced 5G network slicing can extend beyond civilian industries into national defence. He pointed out that the defence sector is increasingly becoming a crucial area for dual-use technology innovation — where the same tech serves both civilian and military purposes.

The results of this trial are expected to have wide-ranging implications for future battlefield strategies. Being able to control heavy armoured vehicles remotely means militaries could eventually deploy unmanned forces deep into hostile or high-risk zones, reducing the risk to personnel while maintaining operational effectiveness.

With this successful test, Finland is positioning itself at the cutting edge of military technology innovation, combining home-grown defence expertise with advanced telecommunications. The experiment not only showcases the strength of collaboration between tech and defence sectors but also signals a new era where real-time, remote-controlled warfare might soon become a norm on the modern battlefield.