For the first time in Europe, 5G COMPAD has successfully demonstrated how independent 5G networks can be integrated with existing military systems. This will pave the way for more resilient and flexible defence communications.

Supported by the European Defence Fund under the 5G COMPAD project, a study published on the 1st of August examined how two independent 5G networks — known as “5G Bubbles” — can be interconnected using legacy military Internet Protocol (IP) radios. Conducted by the 5G COMPAD project team while the documentation and publication led by Intracom Defense (IDE), the study aimed to demonstrate that essential services such as text, voice, and video can continue to function between users in different 5G Bubbles when linked through a military radio.

The experiment showed that integration is possible with minimal configuration, while still maintaining reliable communication services. Even though performance dropped under poorer radio conditions, connectivity was preserved. Text messaging was reliable, voice calls were clear, and video calls remained stable, providing an overall acceptable user experience.

5G is a game-changer both for civilian use and for defence. It can support faster and more reliable networks needed for enhanced command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) capabilities. Additional benefits include better situational awareness, remote control of autonomous systems, supply chain management, and immersive training.

However, the study highlights that deploying 5G in challenging environments, ensuring security, and integrating it with existing systems like IP radios remains a challenge. Until now, most work in this area has been theoretical, with limited practical experiments to test and validate 5G’s capabilities in defence networks. By conducting this experiment, the 5G COMPAD project team provides concrete evidence of how 5G can function reliably in real-world defence scenarios, helping to bridge the gap between theoretical research and practical application.

The results confirm that 5G and existing military tools can be combined for future defence applications.