Under the leadership of NATO Allied Command Transformation and the Latvian Ministry of Defence, senior planners and technical experts convened in Latvia to finalize preparations for the upcoming 2025 Digital Backbone Experimentation (DiBaX). Hosted by Latvian Mobile Telephone, the session served as a critical milestone in aligning NATO’s strategic objectives, national support, and industry innovation for this year’s most advanced test of multi-domain digital capabilities.
“We are convinced that only by developing and implementing advanced technologies which are tested in such unique experiment as DiBaX can Latvia and NATO member states strengthen their military readiness and superiority, as well as ensure deterrence capabilities and respond to new threats,” said the Minister of Defence of Latvia, Andris Sprūds.
The session brought together various representatives from NATO member states, armed forces, ministries of defence, and the defence industry. The 2025 experiment, scheduled for October, will take place both physically at a Latvian military base and virtually across several NATO nations. This year, DiBaX will strategically focus on the use of unmanned vehicles in contested environments and the application of artificial intelligence in detection and decision-making tasks.
“The development of NATO’s ability to conduct Multi-Domain Operations remains one of NATO’s top priorities. DiBaX is part of a continuum of experimentation events that support the deployment of NATO common-funded capabilities and help the Alliance maintain its technological edge,” explained NATO Allied Command Transformation DiBax project lead, Warren Low. “The 2025 DiBaX will evolve to address the changing needs of NATO operational units, lessons learned from conflict, and interoperability specifications. The experiment’s design and execution in Latvia provide an operationally relevant and compelling event each year.”
This year marks the fourth consecutive time Latvia has been selected to host NATO’s flagship digital experimentation event, a choice rooted in both capability and commitment. When Allied Command Transformation issued an open call in 2021 for industry partners able to support complex 5G and next-generation network testing, Latvia was among the first to step forward. The nation brought not only strong political and logistical backing, but also the technical maturity required to meet the challenge.
Central to this offer was Latvian Mobile Telephone, which showcased a cutting-edge 5G testbed and a proven willingness to collaborate on military-use applications of emerging technology. In 2022, this cooperation was formalized through a memorandum of understanding between NATO Allied Command Transformation and the Latvian Ministry of Defence, enabling deeper coordination across NATO, national institutions, and industry partners.
Latvian Mobile Telephone continues to serve as the integrator for DiBaX, and its credibility is built on years of collaboration across defence innovation initiatives. In 2020, the company, working alongside the Ministry of Defence and supported by the National Armed Forces, established a dedicated 5G military test site at the Ādaži military base. This facility remains one of the few in the Baltic region affiliated with NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) and supports ongoing development of unmanned and resilient communication systems.
The digital backbone is a vital component of NATO’s infrastructure, enabling connectivity for complex Multi-Domain Operations. During the DiBaX event later this year, the latest technological advancements will be demonstrated and assessed for integration into real-world environments to enhance interoperability and efficiency among Allied Forces.
“Research and development of various security and defence technology solutions continue to be one of Latvian Mobile Telephone’s main priorities, helping to strengthen the security of Latvia and Europe. This year’s NATO experiment will see even more participation from defence industry partners, including innovative defence tech startups. Every new partner is an asset that helps grow and strengthen the defence ecosystem,” emphasized Latvian Mobile Telephone President Juris Binde.
As NATO meets the evolving challenges of a dynamic security environment, DiBaX stands out as a model for how operationally grounded experimentation can drive meaningful technological progress. The enduring partnership with Latvia and Latvian Mobile Telephone reflects a broader commitment to collaboration, innovation, and readiness. With its focus on real-world application, soldier-centric design, and multinational integration, the 2025 DiBaX will not only test the digital backbone, it will help shape the future of NATO’s operational effectiveness.