In brief
– Physical AI lab NestAI andFORCIT, a global leader in A2/AD systems, partner to deliver intelligent, software-defined defence solutions, transforming traditionally passive area denial systems into active, perceptive networks.
– The partnership combines FORCIT’s advanced sensor systems with NestAI’s open and modular platform NestOS as a software and AI foundation, creating a coordinated and intelligent defence network.
– The partnership aims to secure European technological sovereignty by establishing a sovereign software and AI foundation for critical infrastructure and defence.
From static hardware to software-defined infrastructure
As security environments move toward software-defined defense, the industry is shifting from static, isolated components toward intelligent, networked systems. Historically, area denial has relied on standalone hardware with limited situational awareness and fragmented coordination.
Through this partnership, FORCIT’s proven defence systems are integrated with NestAI’s NestOS platform. This marks a transition from “passive hardware” to active, autonomous capabilities that improve situational understanding and accelerate decision-making. These standards have long been established in telecommunications and civil infrastructure and are now vital for defense.
Distributed perception and operational adaptability
The core of this cooperation is the integration of FORCIT’s advanced sensors and electronics with NestAI’s open, modular and interoperable platform for adaptive AI. By building on NestOS as the foundational architecture, FORCIT is creating next-generation anti-access and area denial systems that evolve through a software platform rather than hardware changes. This approach allows FORCIT to deliver software-defined AI capabilities that adapt to changing operational threats, ensuring European defense forces are not locked into static legacy systems.
In practice, the system focuses on distributed perception, allowing multiple sensors and cameras to work as one coordinated network. This architecture eliminates blind spots and improves precision, resulting in greater protection for both personnel and the surrounding environment. This intelligent control complements FORCIT’s advanced Insensitive Munitions technology. By combining software-defined precision with insensitive munitions designed to prevent accidental detonation, the partnership delivers maximum safety for personnel.
The partnership reflects a shared commitment to responsible design, ensuring all autonomous actions remain under strict human oversight and comply with modern safety and regulatory requirements.
Mission: Strengthening European Resilience
The cooperation is rooted in a shared mission: to build the technological foundations that secure sovereign states in an increasingly complex world.
“In an era of shifting geopolitical landscapes, Europe must own the foundations of its own security. We are not just building software and AI; we are building sovereign infrastructure that ensures critical defensive capabilities remain under European control,” says Peter Sarlin, Chairman of NestAI.
“Our work with FORCIT brings intelligent orchestration to systems that were historically isolated. By providing a modular software foundation for autonomous systems, we are enabling sovereign states to protect critical areas with higher precision and lower risk.”
Joakim Westerlund, CEO, Forcit: “Over the past decade, we have purposefully expanded FORCIT’s expertise into sensors and electronics. Partnering with NestAI is a logical next step in this evolution. This collaboration allows us to integrate intelligent decision-making directly into our proven hardware, creating more resilient and effective systems that strengthen European defence capabilities.”
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NestAI is a European physical AI lab building autonomous systems and command capabilities for defense and critical infrastructure. Working at the intersection of software, hardware, data and AI, the company develops open, modular platforms designed for real-world reliability and technological sovereignty. Headquartered in Finland and backed by Nokia, Tesi, and PostScriptum, NestAI works closely with European defence forces and industrial partners to strengthen Europe’s capacity to build, deploy, and govern critical AI systems on its own terms.
FORCIT Defence is a pioneering provider of advanced area denial and anti-access (A2&AD) defence systems for land and naval environments. Leveraging over 130 years of industrial heritage, the company has evolved from a global leader in Insensitive Munitions (IM) based systems into a high-technology partner specializing in sensors, electronics, and software-integrated defence solutions. A trusted partner for NATO and international defence forces, and a leading supplier for OEMs, FORCIT Defence delivers high-integrity systems for the most demanding environments, combining deep industrial know-how with next-generation autonomous capabilities.
More information:
Kristiina Ranki
Communications, NestAI
kristiina.ranki@nestai.com
+358408390332
Susanna Ehrnrooth
Communications, FORCIT
susanna.ehrnrooth@forcit.fi
+358 50 3568 125