Military Base Ādaži, Latvia – NATO Allied Command Transformation, in partnership with the Latvian Ministry of Defence, supported by Latvian National Armed Forces, and the Latvian Mobile Telephone company (LMT), is set to host the NATO Digital Backbone Experimentation 2024 (DiBaX) event. This initiative will take place this month at the Military Base Ādaži in Latvia.
NATO DiBaX aims to showcase and experiment with a wide range of promising technologies from nations and industry partners with potential applications for military use case. The event will leverage the 5G military test site provided by the Latvian Ministry of Defence and the Latvian Mobile Telephone company as a leading telecommunications innovator in Latvia.
Quick Facts about the Ādaži Testbed:
- The 5G test site was launched in November 2020 by Latvian Ministry of Defence in collaboration with the Latvian National Armed Forces and the Latvian Mobile Telephone company.
- The site offers a unique combination of factors, including proximity to a military range, Military Base Ādaži, Air Force Base Lielvārde, and the Riga Bay coastline.
- The site is open to NATO allies for joint development, experimentation and demonstration of 5G military applications.
- Previous activities at the site have included experimentation with Battlefield Management Systems, Autonomous Systems, and other innovative solutions.
Key Highlights of the Ādaži Testbed:
- Focus: Demonstration and experimentation of specific cutting-edge military technologies.
- Location: Military Base Ādaži, Latvia.
- Partnerships: NATO Allied Command Transformation, Latvian Ministry of Defence.
- Supported: National Armed Forces, Latvian Mobile Telephone company and its partners.
- Technology: Utilization of a state-of-the-art 5G test site.
Quotes:
- “Latvia has already demonstrated its capabilities in the field of 5G technology at a high level, including within the framework of international projects, providing a platform for trials and experimentation. The NATO Digital Backbone Experiment not only confirms our close partnership with NATO allies but also highlights the significance of industry and high-tech companies. It contributes to the development of the capabilities of the National Armed Forces, which is necessary to address current security and defence challenges.” – Latvia’s Defence Minister Andris Sprūds.
- “Four years ago, we launched Europe’s first-ever 5G military test site in military base. Today, we have established an excellent local defence ecosystem in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence, the National Armed Forces, and industry partners, as well as with international partners. Various 5G innovation tests are being conducted in Ādaži within both the European Union and NATO frameworks, with Latvian Mobile Telephone company acting as the integrating partner in the field. This collaboration allows us to achieve results much faster—what might take multiple years elsewhere, we can accomplish in just a few months.” – Ingmārs Pūķis, Vice President at Latvian Mobile Telephone company.
- “5G has a key role to play in accelerating the digital transformation of the defence industry. Implementing foundational 5G technology in Latvia’s world-class testbed will help fast-track military innovations by testing them in this real-world, collaborative environment. We are delighted to support Latvian Mobile Telephone company in this initiative with our private 5G stand-alone network to advance next-generation defence applications.” – Philippe Agard, Head of Nokia’s Defence Business.
The NATO Digital Backbone Experimentation 2024 event being held at the Ādaži test site in Latvia promises to be a milestone in the advancement of military technology. By providing a platform for collaboration, innovation, and experimentation, NATO DiBaX will contribute to strengthening NATO’s capabilities and ensuring its readiness for future challenges.