The AI-WASP project will address the growing need for comprehensive situational awareness, adaptive communication systems, and electronic protection in dynamically evolving tactical scenarios. It is designed to integrate secure communication, radio frequency surveillance, and electronic attack capabilities into a single airborne radio frequency payload, enhancing defence readiness in modern multi-dimensional warfare environments.
AI-WASP will be suitable for deployment on both manned and unmanned autonomous platforms of various sizes, including those operating under challenging arctic conditions. The initiative reflects a significant step forward in combining AI-driven technologies with military applications.
The programme has garnered robust support from several European countries, including Finland, Sweden, Estonia, Italy, Greece, and Spain. These nations have signed a Letter of Intent to participate in the development and will contribute national funding alongside the European Commission’s financial support. The project will be led by Patria in collaboration with a consortium of 16 leading defence innovators from across Europe, including partners from France, Germany, and Lithuania.
Kari Renko, Executive Vice President of Strategic Programs at Patria, expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating: “We at Patria have extensive experience in signals intelligence, passive surveillance, tactical communication, and autonomous technologies. We are excited about the opportunity to lead the joint development of these new converging technologies for use.”
Renko highlighted the importance of EU-funded research and development programmes, noting that they demonstrate tangible progress in European defence cooperation. He pointed to the success of previous collaborative projects, such as the Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) and the European Future Highly Mobile Augmented Armoured Systems (FAMOUS) vehicle programmes, as evidence that strengthening partnerships between European countries and companies is both viable and beneficial.
Source: Patria (press release).
