HELSINKI, Finland — May 25, 2026 : Finnish defence and technology provider Patria has entered into a technology partnership with Finnish artificial intelligence laboratory NestAI to integrate adaptive artificial intelligence into unmanned aerial systems used by European defence forces. The agreement combines Patria’s drone platforms with NestOS, an open, modular and adaptive operating system developed by NestAI, to improve battlefield performance in contested and rapidly changing operational environments.
The collaboration is aimed at combining established defence hardware with software capable of responding to changing battlefield conditions in real time. According to both companies, European armed forces are increasing investments in unmanned systems, creating demand for intelligence technologies specifically designed for real-world combat environments and unpredictable operational conditions.
Partnership Focus on Adaptive Battlefield Capabilities
Under the partnership, Patria will provide its unmanned aerial platforms, operational expertise and manufacturing capability, while NestAI will contribute adaptive software infrastructure through NestOS. The operating system is designed to continuously learn from operational data, allowing unmanned systems to adapt after deployment and function effectively in changing conditions.
NestOS is also designed as an open and interoperable system capable of integrating across multiple sensors, platforms and vendors. The companies stated that this architecture is intended to reduce long-term vendor dependency and allow European defence operators to maintain control over system behaviour, operational data and capability development.
A central objective of the agreement is to ensure the technology is developed and deployed through Europe’s sovereign industrial and technological ecosystem. Both companies emphasized that future unmanned capabilities for European defence forces should be developed within Europe to meet regional operational requirements and reduce external technological dependence.
Patria’s Expanding Unmanned Systems Portfolio
Patria’s unmanned aerial systems form part of its Defence and Weapon Systems business area, which has expanded following the company’s acquisition of Nordic Drones. The company currently operates several unmanned platforms, including the Patria ONE modular tactical unmanned aerial vehicle, Patria SKY long-range multi-mission platform and Patria GEO mapping and surveillance system.
These platforms are expected to support future integration of adaptive AI capabilities under the partnership, combining existing defence hardware with software designed to evolve after deployment.
Leadership Statements Highlight Modern Warfare Requirements
Panu Routila, President and CEO of Patria, said current conflicts continue to shape the company’s understanding of operational requirements for modern warfare.
“The war in Ukraine helps us better understand what warfare looks like now and in the future,” Routila said. He added that Patria continues to focus on future-oriented product development and strengthening unmanned systems for demanding operational conditions in Europe through advanced artificial intelligence capabilities.
Routila further stated that integrating NestAI’s software would improve the intelligence and effectiveness of unmanned systems for military operators working in complex operational environments.
Peter Sarlin, founder and chairman of NestAI, said European defence increasingly requires artificial intelligence systems tailored to battlefield conditions and capable of evolving after deployment.
Sarlin stated that the partnership combines Patria’s expertise in unmanned aerial systems with NestOS adaptive software to support European operational requirements through sovereign, Europe-built technologies designed for modern battlefield operations.
NestAI and Patria’s Defence Ecosystem Presence
Founded in 2024 and headquartered in Finland, NestAI develops adaptive intelligence technologies for defence and security applications where systems must react to changing conditions in real time. The company employs more than 150 engineers and scientists and raised €100 million in funding from Nokia and Finnish sovereign fund Tesi in November 2025. NestAI also collaborates with the Finnish Defence Forces, Nokia, FORCIT Defence and ReOrbit.
Patria, which has operated for more than 100 years, maintains operations across Finland, Sweden, Norway, Latvia, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Slovakia and Japan. The company is owned 50.1 percent by the State of Finland and 49.9 percent by Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS and also holds a 50 percent stake in Nammo.
No financial details, deployment timeline or implementation schedule related to the partnership were disclosed. The companies said the agreement is intended to strengthen Europe’s sovereign defence capabilities in unmanned systems by integrating adaptive post-deployment software intelligence with existing drone platforms.
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