University of Oulu and 6G Test Centre hosted Latvian defence and technology delegation

A delegation of Latvian companies visited the University of Oulu on Thursday for talks on research collaboration spanning 6G connectivity, defence technology, artificial intelligence, and joint R&D programmes.

The visit, organised with the Finnish Chamber of Commerce in Latvia, drew firms from the technology, manufacturing, AI, energy, and defence sectors. Hannu Nikurautio, Research Director for Defence at 6G Flagship, and Esa Posio, the programme’s manager, hosted the group and walked them through Oulu’s research infrastructure, including the NATO DIANA 6G Test Centre.

Talks focused on potential cooperation in 6G, AI, and the use of the 6G Test Centre infrastructure, with both sides identifying these as the most promising areas for joint work.

Kristine Cīrule, Partnerships Development Manager at LMT Innovations, and Edgars Rubenis of Latvijas Mobilais Telefons held separate follow-up sessions with the Oulu team on concrete next steps.

Latvia’s defence budget has nearly doubled since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, rising from $0.9 billion to $1.5 billion by 2024, with spending projected to reach $2.9 billion by 2030. The visit to Oulu fits that pattern: as Latvia builds out its defence and technology capacity, Nordic research infrastructure is an obvious place to look.