VTT Oy and Millog Oy signed a cooperation agreement on 7 November aimed at promoting innovation in the defence sector.
Under the agreement the Technical Research Centre of Finland – a leading European research organisation – and Millog – a strategic partner to the Finnish Defence Forces – commit to promoting innovation in the defence sector. The aim is to support research, development and innovation (RDI) in the defence sector, both in Finland and internationally. Together, they strive to develop solutions that maintain and strengthen the security of society. Both entities are already involved in a number of domestic and international defence networks and ecosystems: this agreement will help better support innovation activities in these and future groupings.
Janne Tarvainen, CEO of Millog Oy, pointed out “We have identified the need to support the agile development and adoption of new technologies and innovations. The agreement confirms our goal by combining VTT’s technological expertise and extensive research community with Millog’s defence material expertise and industrial networks”. Kalle Härkki, President & CEO of VTT Oy, added “VTT’s multidisciplinary research and development expertise, research environments, innovation activities, and extensive cooperation networks help companies develop more competitive products, and we are also refining more and more innovations for use in the defence sector. Together, we will strengthen national performance and further intensify cooperation across the entire industry”.
DA Comment
Finland is one European country that puts its money unequivocally where its mouth is, as far as defence and security policy is concerned, launching pragmatic and well founded initiatives to improve domestic and collective security. The far-reaching changes in the European security picture in the last decade demand positive, effects-oriented action, strengthening the capabilities of existing defence forces, enabling scalability of supply chains and enhancing national resilience at a ‘whole of society’ level. This agreement is a laudable first step in that direction.
Caption: The Advanced Fire Control Device Thermal Imager (AFCD TI), developed by Millog subsidiary Senop, is one of the first intelligent sights available for the Carl-Gustaf M4 and M3 soldier-portable weapon systems. This and similar innovations will feature in the newly-inked agreement with VTT. (Image courtesy Millog Oy)
