Nokia and blackned Join Forces to Build Next-Gen Tactical Networks for German Military

In a decisive move to advance digital defense capabilities, Nokia and blackned GmbH—a defense software company majority-owned by Rheinmetall—have signed a memorandum of understanding to co-develop next-generation deployable tactical networks for the German military and beyond. Announced this week, the collaboration brings together Nokia’s advanced 5G tactical communication technologies with blackned’s battle-proven software-based solutions to create highly mobile, secure, and responsive communication systems tailored to today’s complex defense environments.

The joint venture is not only aimed at fulfilling Germany’s defense communication needs, but also holds the flexibility to be adapted across NATO forces and other allied militaries. Designed to support rapid deployment and uninterrupted data flow under high-pressure conditions, these deployable tactical networks are expected to enhance situational awareness, accelerate decision-making, and boost coordination of military assets in diverse field operations.

At the core of the collaboration is the integration of these technologies into the Rheinmetall Battlesuite, a digital ecosystem central to Germany’s land forces modernization strategy. This will include elements like blackned’s RIDUX tactical middleware and XONITOR management system, alongside Nokia’s 5G field solutions, enabling a Software Defined Defense paradigm that delivers real-time, encrypted, and resilient communications.

Timo Zaiser, CTO at blackned GmbH, emphasized the significance of the partnership, stating:

“Together with Nokia, we will offer powerful and future-ready tactical network solutions that align with the digital realities of modern defense. This collaboration is a cornerstone in our mission to lead defense digitalization.”

Giuseppe Targia, Head of Space and Defense at Nokia, echoed this sentiment:

“In modern warfare, speed and adaptability are non-negotiable. Our partnership with blackned ensures that defense forces can quickly deploy robust, secure communication capabilities to gain a strategic edge.”

This partnership marks a key milestone in the growing convergence of telecom and defense sectors, where cutting-edge commercial technology is increasingly being repurposed for military applications. As geopolitical tensions and battlefield complexity grow, nations are investing heavily in digital infrastructure that enables command-and-control superiority, and Nokia-blackned’s solution fits squarely within this vision.

blackned GmbH, which has been a key player in mission-critical communication solutions since 2009, now operates across six global locations with more than 200 experts. With Rheinmetall acquiring a majority stake in 2025, the company has further accelerated its push toward defense-grade innovation.

Meanwhile, Nokia continues to cement its position as a B2B technology powerhouse, trusted by enterprises and governments alike for its secure, scalable network solutions. Through this partnership, both companies aim to redefine what’s possible in battlefield communications—paving the way for a more connected, agile, and digitally empowered defense force.