DIANA program, NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic, has selected two of Estonia’s defence sector companies – Wayren and Telearmy – among a group of 15 from over 2,600 applicants across the NATO Alliance to advance to Phase 2 of the program that connects 75 innovation centres worldwide.
Diana programm, NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic, has selected two of Estonia’s defence sector companies – Wayren and Telearmy – among a group of 15 from over 2,600 applicants across the NATO Alliance to advance to Phase 2 of the program that connects 75 innovation centres worldwide.
“I am very pleased to see Estonia’s contribution to NATO DIANA stand out so strongly. The fact that three of the teams that accelerated here in Estonia – including two of our own defence industry companies – have advanced to the next stage shows how quickly Estonian entrepreneurs can adapt, act and seize opportunities. The same applies to our Defence Forces, who have been on board with testing new solutions,” said Hanno Pevkur, Minister of Defence of the Republic of Estonia.
In 2025, Estonia defence expenditures are expected to be about 3.38% of GDP which sets Estonia well above the EU and NATO averages.
Standing alongside the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, Estonia is one of the only countries represented by two or more firms, giving Estonia one of the strongest showings among NATO nations in the second phase. This comes at a time when Estonia has committed to raise its defence spending to 5.4% of GDP by 2026, with a projected €10 billion investment over 2026-2029.
Wayren builds resilient battlefield communications networks that keep data and voice links alive even in disruption. Photo: Tehnopol
Wayren and Telearmy to receive exclusive NATO support
Wayren and Telearmy are building solutions that tackle some of NATO’s toughest defence challenges in modern warfare. Wayren builds resilient battlefield communications networks that keep data and voice links alive even in disruption. They use a hybrid platform that seamlessly switches between satellite, radio, and mobile networks.
“DIANA gives us the resources and partners to get our technology into the hands of NATO forces faster.”
Henry Härm, CEO of Wayren
Telearmy develops remote driving technology for military vehicles turning them into unmanned systems for logistics, reconnaissance, and evacuations in high-risk zones. Their next-generation system retrofits with any ground platform from light ATVs to heavier armoured vehicles.
“Being selected for DIANA Phase 2 is a huge vote of confidence in our mission to ensure mission-critical teams stay operational when it matters most. Our reliable communication platform provides rapid decision making and command and control capabilities even when everything else fails – with difficult terrain, disruptions and infrastructure failure. DIANA gives us the resources and partners to get our technology into the hands of NATO forces faster,” said Henry Härm, CEO of Wayren.
Telearmy demo day. The company develops remote driving technology for military vehicles turning them into unmanned systems for logistics, reconnaissance, and evacuations in high-risk zones. Photo: Tehnopol
Estonia leads NATO innovation with rapid tech adoption
Through NATO’s Rapid Adoption Service program, each company will receive €300,000 in non-dilutive funding, access to NATO test centers, and tailored support to bring their technology closer to operational use.
“Estonia’s size, tech-savviness, and openness to new technologies have given us unique tools to move with agility and bring deep technologies into real use cases. With our technology already war-proven in Ukraine, NATO DIANA’s quality stamp, and now high-level support, we can scale rapidly — turning any military vehicle into a remotely operated from very far distances, keeping soldiers out of danger and providing a more flexible way to operate on the changing battlefield,” said Enn Laansoo Jr., CEO of Telearmy.
Estonia has built one of the most agile and innovation-driven defence sectors in Europe. With more than 100 companies in the Estonian Defence and Aerospace Industry Association, the sector specialises in autonomy, cybersecurity, secure communications, and advanced training systems. Estonia invests over 3% of its GDP in defence – among the highest in NATO – ensuring that new technologies are rapidly tested, fielded, and integrated. This focus has made Estonia a country where defence innovations move quickly from concept to combat-ready capability.
GOOD TO KNOW
- NATO DIANA (Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic) is NATO’s program to boost defence innovation. It was launched in 2023 to help Allies develop and adopt cutting-edge technologies faster.
- DIANA connects over 75 test centres and accelerators across Europe and North America, giving startups and researchers a place to test dual-use civil and defence tech.
- Estonia was chosen as a host country for DIANA because of its global reputation in digital innovation, cybersecurity, and its dynamic startup ecosystem, making it a natural hub for advancing NATO’s defence technology goals.
- Each year, DIANA runs challenge programs where innovators compete to solve real military problems.
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