Nokia Defense integrated Banshee 5G into KNDS’s VBCI to extend 5G connectivity beyond the vehicle. KNDS France showcased the collaboration at Eurosatory, while KNDS said Nokia Defense was selected for its technological leadership in tactical communications.
The deployment is meant to provide high-capacity, low-latency connectivity for situational awareness and mission coordination. Nokia Defense also says the system is designed for rapid deployment in areas where communications are limited or unavailable.
“Defense operations depend on reliable, real-time data wherever militaries operate,” said Ari Kynäslahti, Head of Nokia Defense. “By extending Nokia 5G networks beyond the vehicle, we are giving soldiers and autonomous systems the ability to operate more effectively in complex environments.”
Tactical connectivity beyond the platform
The selling point here is not just vehicle integration. Nokia Defense is positioning the 5G layer as a deployable communications asset that can move with the mission and extend beyond a single armored platform.
That makes the VBCI integration a demonstration of how military connectivity can be packaged: embedded in a combat vehicle, but intended to support broader operational coordination once deployed.
What this means for defense communications buyers
For defense procurement teams, the signal is that Nokia Defense is framing tactical 5G as a fieldable capability, not a lab exercise. KNDS France’s decision to showcase the collaboration at Eurosatory suggests the pair wants the integration treated as a visible reference point rather than a private proof of concept.