Leading research and technology organisations from the Nordic and Baltic countries have formally launched RTO4DEF (Research and Technology Organisations for Nordic-Baltic Total Defence), a new strategic alliance aimed at bolstering Europe’s defence capabilities, technological sovereignty and societal resilience.
The initiative, signed in Brussels on June 9 during the annual conference of the European Association of Research and Technology Organisations (EARTO), brings together five major institutions: Estonia’s Metrosert (Applied Research Centre and National Metrology Institute), Finland’s VTT Technical Research Centre, Norway’s SINTEF, Sweden’s RISE, and the Danish Technological Institute.
Collectively, the partners employ more than 10,000 scientists and engineers and operate hundreds of laboratories and testing facilities across the region.
RTO4DEF will coordinate research, innovation, testing and verification capabilities to accelerate the development and deployment of critical dual-use technologies.
It aims to support national governments, Nordic Defence Cooperation (NORDEFCO), the European Union and NATO by bridging the gap between laboratory concepts and operational military or civilian applications.
Kaupo Reede, Member of the Board of Metrosert, highlighted the urgency driven by the war in Ukraine.
“Defence technology development cycles have become significantly shorter,” he said.
“Solutions must be continuously tested, improved and adapted as adversaries quickly develop countermeasures. The ability to rapidly test, validate and deploy new iterations is now just as important as the original development.”
Rainer Kivimäe, Head of the Drone Technologies Unit at Metrosert, explained to Brussels Signal that regarding the focus “RTO4DEF is a Nordic-Baltic alliance with a European perspective.
“Its primary mission is to strengthen the defence and resilience capabilities of our region, but many of the technologies, projects and programmes we work on are naturally European in scope and involve cooperation with partners across the EU and NATO ecosystem.”
He said that “RTO4DEF is currently a collaboration network rather than a standalone legal entity with its own permanent office. The alliance intends to engage actively and consistently with EU institutions, NATO and other stakeholders in Brussels through its member organisations, all of which already have extensive European networks and ongoing cooperation activities.”
He also emphasised the value of complementary expertise.
Estonia brings strong capabilities in drone technologies and air-domain awareness, while partners contribute advanced industrial know-how, energy technologies and specialised testing environments.
“By combining these strengths, we can create a much more capable innovation ecosystem than any single organisation could build alone,” Kivimäe noted.
Andre Lipand, Deputy Head of Estonia’s Permanent Delegation to NATO, welcomed the launch.
“Technological innovation and defence industrial capacity have become integral to NATO’s deterrence and defence policy,” he said.
“Last year, NATO Allies made a collective commitment to increase defence spending to five per cent of GDP. However, figures on a budget line do not protect anyone.
“These resources must be transformed into real military capabilities through new technologies and a strong defence industry. It is encouraging to see the Nordic-Baltic region leading by example by deepening cooperation in innovation, adaptability and advanced defence technologies,” said Lipand.
The alliance builds on existing collaborations with industry players such as Nammo and Kongsberg and participation in multiple European Defence Fund projects.
It will develop shared technology foresight and roadmaps for Total Defence, while strengthening security of supply chains and industrial resilience.
The launch reflects the Nordic-Baltic region’s acute awareness of its frontline position. Heightened hybrid threats, Russian assertiveness in the Baltic Sea, and the lessons of the war in Ukraine have driven their actions.
