Patria Launches Groundbreaking €45M EU-Funded AI-WASP Defense Project

Finnish defense enterprise Patria has secured €45 million in financing from the European Union to spearhead the evolution of the Artificial Intelligence Warfare Adaptive Swarm Platform (AI-WASP). This groundbreaking initiative aims to bolster Europe’s defense capabilities by constructing a next-generation, scalable, and intelligent multifunctional software-defined converged aperture and transceiver (AIMA).

The AI-WASP program will address the increasing demand for comprehensive situational awareness, adaptable communication systems, and electronic defense in rapidly evolving tactical settings. It is designed to integrate secure communications, radio frequency monitoring, and electronic engagement capabilities into a unified airborne radio frequency payload, enhancing defense readiness in today’s multi-dimensional warfare scenarios.

AI-WASP will be versatile for deployment on both manned and unmanned autonomous platforms of various dimensions, including those operating under severe arctic conditions. This initiative symbolizes a significant advancement in merging AI-driven technologies with military capabilities.

The initiative has garnered significant support from several European nations, which include Finland, Sweden, Estonia, Italy, Greece, and Spain. These countries have signed a Letter of Intent to participate in the development and will offer national funding in conjunction with the financial support from the European Commission. Patria will lead this initiative in collaboration with a consortium of 16 leading defense innovators from across Europe, including partners from France, Germany, and Lithuania.

Kari Renko, Executive Vice President of Strategic Programs at Patria, expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative, stating: “We at Patria have extensive experience in signals intelligence, passive surveillance, tactical communication, and autonomous technologies. We are excited about the opportunity to lead the collaborative advancement of these new converging technologies for practical application.”

Renko highlighted the importance of EU-funded research and development efforts, emphasizing that they reveal real progress in European defense cooperation. He referenced the successful results of previous cooperative projects, such as the Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) and the European Future Highly Mobile Augmented Armoured Systems (FAMOUS) vehicle programs, as evidence that strengthening alliances among European nations and enterprises is not only feasible but also beneficial.