New research project develops Finland’s defence ecosystem – delivering solutions for modern warfare

Tampere University participates in the three-year MilVerse4MDO project, which aims to lay the foundation for a new defence ecosystem in Finland. Funded under Business Finland’s Defence and Digital Resilience Programme, the project develops innovative solutions that address the changing needs of modern warfare. 

The project will establish a practical foundation for developing enhanced tools for operational simulation, training, planning, deployment and post-operational assessment. Material management and damage repair logistics will also play a key role in the project, as they are essential components of multi-domain operations. Tampere University’s contribution will focus on human-technology interaction and the extensive pilot testing that will be conducted during the project.

The project is coordinated by Turku University of Applied Sciences. The total budget of the project exceeds €13 million, with Tampere University’s share amounting to approximately €2.7 million. The leading company partners are Patria and Nokia Technologies. A wide range of technology partners are also involved, including ProVerse Interactive, Millog, Lingsoft Group, RumbleTools, Saab Finland, Unikie, 3D Talo, Ahola Group, ReOrbit and Vaisala.

“The MilVerse4MDO project showcases the Finnish defence industry’s role as a technological pioneer. Our goal is to bring the technology and expertise developed during the project to the international market, thereby strengthening Finland’s competitive position in the global defence industry. In addition, the project will train a whole new generation of experts who possess not only the required scientific capabilities but also an in-depth practical understanding of what it will take to bring Finland to the forefront of research and development in this field,” says Markku Turunen, Professor of Interactive Technology at Tampere University. 

MilVerse4MDO strengthens the competitiveness of Finland’s defence industry

The rapid acceleration of learning among soldiers is a critical requirement for both NATO’s troop production and Finland’s defence sector. The metaverse developed during the MilVerse4MDO project will serve as a virtual world that directly addresses NATO’s strategic needs. 

This virtual environment, designed to enhance troop training and performance, can be used for realistic scenarios ranging from the basic operation of individual vehicles and equipment to demanding multinational operations.

“The nature of modern warfare is changing fast. As we move towards machine-against-machine combat, the ability to carry out multi-domain operations and provide human decision-makers with an up-to-date situational picture is becoming increasingly important. Current command systems do not adequately meet these needs. By collaborating within the strong consortium and with international partners, we believe that the MilVerse4MDO project will succeed in developing modern solutions that address future requirements and strengthen the competitiveness of Finland’s defence industry,” says Mika Luimula, Head of Research and Education at Turku University of Applied Sciences.