Ericsson is to supply British defense forces with advanced 5G technologies.
The Swedish giant will provide services and components for the U.K. Government’s Tactical Communication Systems framework, an eight-year, £8 billion ($10.7 billion) effort to deliver tailored communication and information systems to the U.K.'s Ministry of Defence (MOD) and other public bodies.
As part of the contract, Ericsson will support 5G sensing for drone detection, AI-powered network automation, and advanced spectrum management techniques. The vendor highlighted high-bandwidth, low-latency, and strong connectivity to connect sensors, personnel, and platforms in real-time. According the vendor, this will support advanced applications including multi-domain command and control, unmanned systems and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).
"Modern defense requires a new level of connectivity, where data-driven capabilities are essential for operational success. We are proud to bring our global leadership in 5G and mission-critical networks to support the U.K.'s defense modernisation. This framework allows us to work directly with the MOD to deliver secure, resilient, and future-proof communications that will serve as the foundation for the U.K.'s digital defence capabilities for years to come," said Nadine Allen, Head of Ericsson U.K.
In Ericsson's most recent earnings call, departing CEO Börje Ekholm noted "growth opportunities in mission-critical networks and different defense applications,” a common refrain in the vendor's recent financials.
Its central European defense portfolio includes a 5G standalone (5G SA) system for the Italian Navy, while in the U.S. it continues to expand its Ericsson Federal Technologies Group, an offshoot which specializes in 5G and 6G services for U.S. defense agencies.