From June 1–10, 2026, defence technology companies gathered at OuluZone’s internationally renowned testing environment for NATO’s LCI-X Crucible 2-26 event.
OuluZone’s exceptional facilities and infrastructure made it possible to organise, on a tight schedule, an international event focused on drone defence and security technology, where companies developing technology in the industry were able to test their innovative solutions for the detection and countermeasures of unmanned aerial. The high standard requirements of the testing environment led to the event being moved from the Baltic region to Finland and Oulu on a tight schedule.
On a practical level, the LCI-X series of testing events launched by NATO’s Allied Command Transformation (ACT) is designed to test new capabilities suitable for NATO operations that address the needs of the international security situation, such as the recently increasing drone threats. The testing events aim to achieve interoperability between drone defence sensors, effector systems, and command and control systems.
– In addition to ensuring the interoperability of the Alliance’s counter-drone solutions, we are making sure that various solutions can be rapidly deployed and that they have the capability to respond to real threats. We are conducting trials in Oulu aimed at promoting innovation, evaluating current and emerging counter-drone technologies, and transforming these systems into operational capabilities for the Alliance. We are modelling the tactics and capabilities currently used by the adversary while testing tomorrow’s operational methods, said Capt. Joseph Pisoni, describing the testing event held at OuluZone and the LCI-X initiative
Capt. Joseph Pisoni
LCI-X testing thus provides a structured environment for validating operations prior to large-scale deployment.
– The goal of our trials is also to identify and resolve challenges related to cross-border operations, such as civil airspace management, legal frameworks, cross-border communications, and the handover of assets from one operator to another, Capt. Pisoni explained the objectives from a practical perspective.
Lieutenant Colonel Timo Salonen, a senior expert at Finland’s NATO Mission, described the significance of the testing events for Finland, noting, among other things, that Finland is committed to developing digital capabilities and sharing experience and expertise.
– We want to meet the Alliance’s urgent needs to bring the latest technologies into operational use. We are building and strengthening the ecosystem for the development and testing of defence technology.
OuluZone is an internationally significant testing environment
OuluZone’s strengths as a testing environment are based on a unique combination of diverse testing areas and infrastructure, as well as the strong technological expertise of the Oulu region. The area offers a realistic environment for testing and developing future data transmission and communication solutions, autonomous systems, drones, sensor and cybersecurity technologies, and AI solutions. Many of these are so-called dual-use technologies, meaning solutions that can be utilised in both the civilian and defence sectors.
The significance of dual-use technology from the perspectives of civilian use and defence technology:
Drones:
- in civilian use: for logistics solutions, forest mapping, or rescue missions
- in defence: for battlefield situational awareness, surveillance, and target engagement
Data transmission and communication solutions:
- in civilian use: wireless and fixed internet connections, satellite connections, and crisis communication
- in defence: command and control of forces and secure data transmission
Autonomous systems:
- in civilian use: self-driving vehicles, work machines, and industrial robots
- in defence: unmanned land, sea, and air vehicles
Sensor technology:
- in civilian use: traffic monitoring, weather measurements, and environmental monitoring
- in defence: air surveillance, target identification, and threat detection
Artificial intelligence and data analytics:
- in civilian use: in research, healthcare, or industry, for example
- in defence: for situational awareness and decision-making support
OuluZone brings together stakeholders with shared interests. Under the coordination of BusinessOulu, local stakeholders – including VTT, the University of Oulu, OSAO, OAM, Nokia, and Bittium – are developing a master plan, a development strategy, and a collaboration model for OuluZone. The goal is to build and establish OuluZone’s role as an international development and testing environment.
– Bringing NATO’s LCI-X event to the region shows that our development work has yielded results, says Project Manager Heikki Huhmo of BusinessOulu.
During NATO’s LCI-X Crucible 2-26 exercise, VTT (Technical Research Centre of Finland) was responsible for organising flight operations. VTT provided technical support for flight operations in the OuluZone area, including flight permits obtained from Traficom, thereby enabling the operation of large drones. VTT acted, so to speak, as air traffic control during the operational activities and the testing event.
The opportunity to combine research, product development, and practical testing in a single environment makes OuluZone an attractive destination for both Finnish and international companies.
– This is a hugely significant demonstration of Oulu’s ability to meet the needs of the international defence technology sector. We have long-standing expertise in technology innovation and development, which we continue to invest in. At BusinessOulu, we view defence technology as a distinct sector around which a strong ecosystem has been built. Our activities have also attracted the interest of the defence administration, and we have been invited to help develop this broader defence ecosystem, which incorporates a strong international perspective, explains Jussi Leponiemi, Key Account Director at ICT Oulu, from BusinessOulu.
Key Account Director Jussi Leponiemi, BusinessOulu
– Oulu and OuluZone’s role and participation in NATO’s LCI-X and NIR initiatives have a direct impact on the defence capabilities of alliances and NATO at the international level. At the same time, this opens up various opportunities for technological innovation and development for both Finnish and international companies, Leponiemi summarises the significance of these events.
Ecosystems as drivers of the industry
Networks and ecosystems related to defence technology are built by numerous actors who are closely involved in NATO’s LCI-X and NIR testing and development activities.
- Digital Defence Ecosystem (DDE) is a network of Finnish defence and technology companies that develops new digital defence solutions for the international market. The ecosystem’s members represent both dual-use and defence technology companies, as well as Finnish research institutes.
- Defence Innovation Network Finland (DEFINE) is an innovation ecosystem launched by the City of Riihimäki to develop a world-class innovation network in the defence and security sector.
- Borderland Europe is part of the NATO Innovation Range Finland initiative, which enables the testing and validation of advanced security and dual-use technologies in authentic operational environments. This network includes Business Joensuu, Business Turku, and DEFINE. Borderland Europe joined the NATO Innovation Range network in March 2026.
NATO Innovation Range to be held in Oulu in October
Concurrent with NATO’s LCI-X Crucible 2-26 event, Finland hosted the NATO Innovation Range (NIR) event series, which also focuses on evaluating defence technology in realistic operational environments.
In Turku, the testing framework for dual-use technologies was set in maritime conditions; in Joensuu, in the operational environments of the eastern border; and in Riihimäki, the focus was on the integration of command-and-control systems. Participants in the NIR testing event also included both Finnish and international innovators and developers in the defence technology sector.
– Oulu will solidify its position as a key development and testing environment for the defence industry. The next step involves preparations for the NIR exercise in Oulu in October 2026, when Oulu will demonstrate several key technologies and capabilities that enable development, says Heikki Huhmo of BusinessOulu.
Lue lisää
- NATOn Allied Command Transformationin (ACT)
- • Ministry of Defence / Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen: Finland will host a series of NATO Innovation Range events
