Finland and Sweden have jointly signed a 15-million-euro ($17.5 million) contract with Finnish company KNL for the acquisition of Cognitive Networked High Frequency (CNHF) Manpack radios.
Deliveries are expected to be completed by the end of this year.
CNHF features real-time spectrum sensing, enabling the radio to scan more than 4,000 channels simultaneously and lock onto the optimal option in under a second.
The system operates without operator input, continuously adjusting its transmission parameters to maintain stable links.
It can function independently in satellite-denied environments, relying on asynchronous connections to operate without GPS.
To support encrypted voice, data, and multimedia, the system creates resilient networks that extend from a few kilometers to several thousand.
It features a simple design, requiring only a single day of training, and standard interfaces that allow seamless integration into existing tactical communications and command-and-control systems.
The order “represents not only a technical milestone but also a strategic one, building a shared communication infrastructure that supports seamless interoperability and secure joint operations across the Nordic region,” said Toni Lindén, CEO of KNL.
Boosting Nordic Interoperability
The procurement is the first joint acquisition under the Nordic Defence Cooperation (NORDEFCO) Implementing Arrangement for Joint Procurement of C4I systems, signed in April by KNL, Finland, and Sweden.
Also including Denmark, Iceland, and Norway, NORDEFCO enables member countries to coordinate defense planning and procurement.
The agreement with KNL aims to enhance interoperable communications, shared situational awareness, decision-making support, and intelligence capabilities for Finnish and Swedish forces.
The deal is set for an initial term of 10 years and will automatically be extended by one year unless revised.
Other NORDEFCO members may join the agreement at a later date, the Finnish company explained.
