Estonian IT company Nortal and defence company SensusQ have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with South Korean Hanwha Aerospace, a leading global aerospace and defence company, to advance next-generation defence technologies.
“This MoU is about building a genuine security partnership. By collaborating with esteemed Estonian companies, we are committed to contributing to the growth of the local and European defence industry,” said Kim Dong-hyun, Head of the LS Business Division at Hanwha Aerospace.
Estonian companies are partnering with Hanwha Aerospace to jointly develop a state-of-the-art Battlefield Management System (BMS) for a wide range of platforms.
“This BMS can help defence forces achieve digital supremacy by preventing, countering, and responding to hybrid threats with faster response times and reduced operational costs.”
Peeter Smitt, Business Area Director for Defence at Nortal
Nortal will contribute its extensive experience in digital transformation, software development, and the integration of complex systems. Hanwha’s field-proven Redback IFV platform will serve as the foundation for a new, highly advanced system designed for integration with multiple platforms. SensusQ will contribute its unique domain and technological expertise, shaped by operational experience in Ukraine and NATO countries.
Strategic alliance with Hanwha Aerospace to develop next-gen battlefield tech
Within their strategic collaboration framework, the companies are exploring initial partnership opportunities with Estonia and other Central and Eastern European countries to develop a pioneering BMS tailored to their operational and technological needs.
GOOD TO KNOW
In March 2025 Nortal and SensusQ announced a partnership to offer software-defined, zero-day interoperable intelligence gathering and processing solutions for defence organisations, emergency and public safety services, and corporations.
“Together, we are building the foundation for long-term, trusted international cooperation to meet the evolving challenges of modern warfare. This BMS can help defence forces achieve digital supremacy by preventing, countering, and responding to hybrid threats with faster response times and reduced operational costs, harnessing seamless integration and interoperability,” said Peeter Smitt, Business Area Director for Defence at Nortal.
“This partnership marks a significant milestone for Estonia’s defence industry. By combining Hanwha Aerospace’s advanced platform with the agility and innovation of Estonian software companies, we are shaping the next generation of Battlefield Management Systems tailored to the operational needs of modern armies. For SensusQ, it is both an honour and a responsibility to contribute our expertise in situational awareness and decision-support solutions,” added Villiko Nurmoja, Co-Founder of SensusQ.
The tool for a wide range of military platforms
BMS is an essential tool for military operations, providing integrated information acquisition and processing to enhance command and control. It provides near real-time flow of information to tactical commanders, allowing for the sharing of battalion-level combat information across the battlefield.
“By combining Hanwha Aerospace’s advanced platform with the agility and innovation of Estonian software companies, we are shaping the next generation of Battlefield Management Systems tailored to the operational needs of modern armies.”
Villiko Nurmoja, Co-Founder of SensusQ
Through this partnership, Hanwha, Nortal, and SensusQ are pioneering a next-generation BMS that will combine real-time, multi-domain decision support, automated intelligence processing, and secure, coalition-ready interoperability.
The system is being designed with a modular, non-monolithic architecture, enabling rapid capability integration, allied system compatibility, and long-term scalability to meet the operational demands of future high-tempo warfare. The BMS will be applicable to Hanwha’s Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) as well as to a wide range of other platforms.
FACTS
Estonia’s defence industry is dedicated to:
- Providing advanced solutions to enhance global defence capabilities.
- Rapid innovation and adaption enabled by favourable business environment.
- Pledge over 3% of GDP to defence, work closely with NATO and support Ukraine to contribute to global security.
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