Nordic Defence Cooperation Deepens in Military Optronics and Command and Control – New FISE Framework Agreements Signed for Ground Surveillance Sensors and Cognitive HF Radios
Norway and Denmark have joined the framework agreements enabled by the military optronics Implementing Arrangement signed in April 2024. Nordic cooperation is now expanding with the signing of a new Implementing Arrangement in the field of Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (C4I). At the same time, new FISE framework agreements were signed for the procurement of unmanned ground surveillance sensors and cognitive HF radios.
On 2 April 2025, Major General Tero Ylitalo, Chief of the Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command, and Rebecca Ihrfors, Head of the Command and Control Systems Division at the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV), signed an Implementing Arrangement for Joint Procurement of C4I (Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence), to which Norway and Denmark are also invited to join. The arrangement covers systems that provide a common situational picture, communication, decision support and intelligence information that command functions need for issuing orders and leading units. In connection with this, a military optronics FISE framework agreement was signed with the Swedish company Bertin Exensor AB, and a C4I FISE framework agreement was concluded with the Finnish company KNL (Telenor Maritime Oy).
Under the agreement, unmanned ground surveillance sensors can be procured from Bertin Exensor AB. These are autonomous surveillance devices deployed in the terrain, capable of detecting movement, sound, or other signatures caused, for example, by vehicles, personnel, or weapon discharges. The sensors can transmit collected data forward via radio communication or similar means. Norway and Denmark decided to join this framework agreement immediately.
The agreement with KNL enables the procurement of cognitive High Frequency (HF) radios. Cognitive HF radios are communication devices capable of autonomously assessing the radio frequency environment and adapting their operations accordingly. They automatically select the optimal frequency, considering interference, traffic load, and other radio conditions. The HF band allows for long-distance communication beyond the line of sight.
Under the previous Implementing Arrangement for Joint Procurement of Military Optronics, Finland and Sweden have signed framework agreements with Aimpoint AB on 26 August 2024 and with Senop Oy on 6 November 2024. The accession of Norway and Denmark further strengthens Nordic defence cooperation, security of supply, and interoperability.
The newly signed framework agreements are initially valid for ten years, after which they are automatically extended on an annual basis. Other NORDEFCO nations participating in Nordic defence cooperation may also join these agreements at a later stage. Furthermore, the terms of the agreements are applicable to the Finnish Border Guard, Finnish Customs, the Criminal Sanctions Agency, and police authorities in Finland. These authorities must have appropriate direct procurement justifications in place to utilise the agreements.
