The 5G COMPAD project held its Global Air-Based Demonstration on 8 October 2025 in Arboga, Sweden. Hosted by the project Coordinator and project partner, Saab, this was the final global 5G COMPAD demonstration.

The demonstration scenario tested how a temporary dispersed airbase can be quickly established and operated near an active conflict zone. During the exercise, returning surveillance aircraft offloaded critical mission data for real-time exploitation. By leveraging advanced 5G technologies, the operation significantly reduced aircraft turnaround times and accelerated the OODA loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act). This ensured that information was transmitted, processed, and acted upon almost instantly, enabling faster decision-making and more agile mission execution.

During the demonstration, the project partners – Saab, Cafa Tech, Synkzone, LMT, Ericsson, Bittium, Leonardo, and Nokia – showcased various 5G network capabilities, such as, quick deployment of 5G bubbles, including mobile 5G bubbles, RAN Sharing (MOCN), secure message exchange and data synchronization, battlefield missions’ system application, video streaming and other. The demonstration also included a practical display of seamless cross-national operational coordination, made possible by interoperability of 5G and high speed and low latency communication.

“The Global Air-Based Demonstration in Arboga is a great proof point of how 5G technology can transform defence operations. By showing how rapidly deployable 5G networks can support real-time data exchange and faster decision-making in the field, we’re turning innovation into operational capability. 5G COMPAD demonstrates that the future of defence communications is not theoretical – it’s here, and it’s ready to enhance mission effectiveness across Europe”, said 5G COMPAD Project Coordinator and Saab representative, Anders Josefsson.

The 36-month-long 5G COMPAD (5G Communications for Peacekeeping and Defense) project aims to facilitate the use of 5G for defence and enable the interoperability of defence and public communication systems across EU member states, supporting information superiority for European armed forces.

5G COMPAD began in December 2022 and will conclude in December 2025. Co-funded by the EU, it brings together leading European telecom and defence industry partners, including Saab, Ericsson, Rheinmetall, Bittium, Nokia, Thales, Leonardo, Inster, Eight Bells, Intracom Defense (IDE), CAFA Tech, Telenor, Sintef, FFI (NO Gov), LMT, AIT, Synkzone, BHE, and APR Technologies, with subcontractors CNIT, Fraunhofer FKIE, CEA, and Space Hellas SA.