Defence Cooperation Intensifies in the Nordic and Baltic Countries – DEFINE, HAMK, Millog and Sako From Kanta-Häme Join a New Defence Network
DEFINE, the regional defence network coordinated by the City of Riihimäki, HAMK, Millog Oy, and Sako Oy are intensifying their cooperation with Nordic and Baltic defence organisations. It is the first joint, collaborative Nordic network in the defence sector where the focus is on cooperation between companies.
DEFINE, the regional defence network coordinated by the City of Riihimäki, Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK), Millog Oy, and Sako Oy are intensifying their cooperation with Nordic and Baltic defence organisations. Together with about 20 companies, research institutes, and state-supported organisations from Lithuania, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, companies from the Kanta-Häme Region in Finland will form the Organisation for Defence Innovation in the Nordics (ODIN).
“This is the first joint, collaborative Nordic network in the defence sector where the focus is on cooperation between companies. Deeper cooperation will enable us to explore and make use of new funding channels, forge connections with new types of experts, and strengthen the position of Finns in the defence sector,” explains Teemu Seppälä, Technology and Innovation Director of the City of Riihimäki.
Members of the ODIN network are committed to working together in the development, funding, testing, and scaling up of defence innovations.
“The cooperation will promote the development of dual-use technologies and innovations, and strengthen regional cooperation. At the same time, it will open up new international opportunities for companies and support exporting. With ODIN, Nordic and Baltic countries are taking a decisive step towards a stronger and more integrated defence innovation ecosystem,” says Toni Piispa, Director of Millog Oy’s Authorities and Industry Business Unit.
The parties will sign a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen cooperation on Wednesday 26 February 2025 in Riihimäki.
Experts for defence sector companies
“For HAMK, being part of the ODIN network provides an opportunity to train experts for companies in the defence sector, among others,” says Lassi Martikainen, Dean of the School of Business, Design and Technology at the Häme University of Applied Sciences.
Dual-use technologies – technologies that can be used for both civil and military purposes – are at the heart of both education and research at HAMK.
“The multidisciplinary nature of the university facilitates the application and transfer of dual-use technologies to different sectors. From the point of view of our research, development, and innovation activities, this cooperation facilitates the commercialisation of results for dual-use purposes,” adds Jukka Pulkkinen, Director of the HAMK Tech Research Unit.
Support for testing innovations
Millog Oy has in-depth knowledge of the specific needs and environments of the defence sector, already carrying the responsibility for the maintenance of the Finnish Defence Forces’ equipment. Within the DEFINE network, Millog supports the testing of new innovations, among other things, which speeds up the deployment of innovations for operational use.
“This year, we have further increased our commitment to DEFINE, and are excited about expanding our partner network through ODIN. Through our expertise, we have a significant opportunity to build bridges between the civil and defence sectors, and to support the development of new defence innovations. At the same time, we will also strengthen and secure our own technological expertise,” adds Piispa.
Showcasing smaller businesses
“Cooperation with DEFINE and the new ODIN network is very meaningful for us. It brings us important know-how, and thus helps us to develop new technologies and larger systems, which in turn enables us to grow our exports,” says Raimo Karjalainen, Member of the Board of Directors at Sako Oy.
“Through the ODIN network, even smaller companies have the opportunity to participate in development projects, and to contribute critical expertise to increase security in the Nordic and Baltic countries,” Karjalainen continues.
In addition to DEFINE, HAMK, Millog, and Sako, the MoU will be signed by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd and Digital Defence Ecosystem (DDE) from Finland, Kaunas Science and Technology Park from Lithuania, Milrem Robotics from Estonia, National Defence Technology Centre from Denmark, Vinnova from Sweden, and Kongsberg Innovation from Norway.
Define
- Defence Innovation Network Finland, DEFINE, is a project launched by the City of Riihimäki bringing together defence and security industry companies, educational institutions, and research institutes to form a network and an innovation ecosystem.
- DEFINE aims to boost the competitiveness of its participants, and to increase their turnover. DEFINE is funded by the City of Riihimäki, Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK), the City of Hämeenlinna, Forssan Yrityskehitys Oy, Millog Oy, Sako Oy, and OP Häme.
- In addition, a significant part of funding is provided by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), granted by the Regional Council of Häme. DEFINE has been accepted as a member of the European Commission’s and the European defence sector organisations’ European Network of Defence-Related Regions (ENDR).
Further information:
Teemu Seppälä
Technology and Innovation Director
City of Riihimäki
Tel. +358 503 744 589
teemu.seppala@riihimaki.fi
Toni Piispa
Director, Authorities and Industry Business Unit
Millog Oy
Tel. +358 503 321 078
toni.piispa@millog.fi
Raimo Karjalainen
Member of the Board of Directors
Sako Oy
Tel. +358 405 088 76
raimo.karjalainen@sako.fi