The companies said the partnership brings together state-of-the-art artificial intelligence and a defence platform in one system. It is intended to support unmanned systems operating in contested and rapidly changing battlefield environments.
European armed forces are increasing investment in unmanned systems. Patria and NestAI said those systems need intelligence designed for real-world conditions if they are to operate effectively in modern warfare.
The partnership is also intended to deliver the capability from within Europe’s own industrial and technology base. Patria brings drone platforms, operational reach and expertise in unmanned systems, while NestAI provides adaptive intelligence capabilities and an open, modular operating system.
“The war in Ukraine helps us better understand what warfare looks like now and in the future,” said Panu Routila, President and CEO of Patria.
“As a forerunning defence and technology company, we always want to look ahead in our product development, ensuring critical operations – when if is not an option. Our unmanned systems are built for the most demanding conditions in Europe,” Routila said.
“With NestAI’s AI capabilities, we can make them more intelligent and more effective for the operators who depend on them,” Routila added.
NestAI founder and chairman Peter Sarlin said European defence requires artificial intelligence tailored to modern battlefield operations. “European defence needs AI for modern battlefield operations: adaptive, sovereign, and designed to evolve after deployment,” Sarlin said.
“And it needs to be built in Europe, by Europeans, for European operational requirements. This partnership combines Patria’s experience in unmanned aerial systems and the adaptive AI capabilities of NestOS to deliver for the modern battlefield,” Sarlin added.
NestAI develops adaptive intelligence for defence and security environments where systems must respond to changing conditions in real time. Patria’s unmanned systems offering is part of its Defence and Weapon Systems business area, including Patria drones.
