NATO Summit Reveals Ukraine’s Defence Tech Secrets: Nations Adapting These Game‑Changing Lessons to Shape Future Strategy

NATO’s Strategic Shift Toward Tech Innovators

Starters Lead the Charge

During a recent global summit, NATO convened to tackle contemporary security challenges and highlighted its partnership with a select group of tech startups focused on addressing these threats.

• Startup A: AI‑driven surveillance solutions that enhance real‑time monitoring for defense forces.
• Startup B: Cybersecurity platform designed to fortify communication networks against emerging cyber attacks.

NATO Braces for Next‑Gen Defense on Its 75th Anniversary

Adapting to a Rapidly Changing Technological Landscape

During a recent summit in Washington, D.C., the North Atlantic Treaty Organization celebrated 75 years of collective security while turning its gaze toward the future. The organization announced that it is intensifying its transformation drive to keep pace with present and upcoming threats, with a particular focus on innovation and rapid technology adoption.

Key Areas of Focus

• Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Biotechnology
• Quantum computing
• Seabed mapping and underwater sensing

Phil Lockwood, the head of NATO’s Innovation Unit, told Euronews Next that the alliance “recognises that its strength hinges on maintaining a technological edge.” He added that, despite the unprecedented pace of innovation, the very edge that has served NATO could erode if adversaries close the gap. “We must work diligently to guard our advantage,” Lockwood emphasized.

From Concept to Combat: Supporting Start‑Ups

NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) is one of the pathways through which the alliance backs promising ventures. Out of 1,300 applicants, 44 companies, including Dutch start‑up Lobster Robotics, were selected. The program supplies developers with hundreds of thousands of euros and a network of expertise to tackle critical defense challenges.

Lobster Robotics specializes in optical seabed mapping. According to co‑founder and CEO Stephan Rutten, “Our sensors could have detected anomalies like those that led to the Nord Stream pipeline explosions. While we cannot stop the event, early awareness could provoke timely response.”

Benefits of Seabed Imaging

• Spotting minute features such as crab or starfish tracks
• Reducing the need for costly and risky diver deployments
• Providing critical data for protecting underwater infrastructure—e.g., wind farms, oil rigs, and communication cables

Dual‑Use Innovation: Commercial and Military Impact

DIANA’s core criteria include “dual‑use,” meaning a technology should serve civilian and defense purposes alike. NATO’s larger Innovation Fund complements DIANA by offering additional funding to accelerate breakthrough startups that can transform both the market and national security.

Maintaining the Edge

Lockwood reiterated, “We must continue to protect our technological advantage because adversaries and rivals are relentlessly pursuing their own breakthroughs.” The alliance’s commitment to experimentation and swift adoption of emerging tech signals a proactive stance in safeguarding its strategic edge for the next 24 years and beyond.

Disrupting the procurement process

Start‑ups Facing the Challenges of Gaining Access to Defence Boards

Getting a foothold in government or defence ministries remains a highly rewarding but daunting task for emerging companies.

Networking is Key

“It comes down to networking,” explained Rutten. “You need to know the right people and understand how each organisation operates.” He added that a NATO stamp of approval can open doors that would otherwise stay closed.

Speed versus Reality

• Start‑ups often say they can move swiftly.
• In reality, procurement can take up to 18 months.
• During this period, a company could launch five new ventures.

Case in Point: Sortiria Technology

Based in Greece, Sortiria Technology is an underwater intelligence firm selected by NATO. It specialises in AI‑driven sensor systems for the defence sector.

Long Procurement Cycles

Angelos Tsereklas, managing director, highlighted the lengthy contracting process:

• Negotiation cycles can be protracted.
• Procurement varies significantly between countries.
• Despite these hurdles, initiatives like DIANA and the NATO Innovation Fund are fostering change.
• The European Union and the European Investment Bank also back dual‑use applications.

Consolidated Efforts in Europe and NATO

Tsereklas noted that the EU and NATO are working towards a unified approach, strengthening collaborative efforts across member states.

NATO’s Updated DIANA Call

This month, NATO announced a second round of the DIANA project, targeting sectors such as:

• Energy
• Human health
• Information security
• Logistics
• Critical infrastructure

Cybersecurity: A Top Priority

Cybersecurity remains a central concern for NATO. The conflict in Ukraine has highlighted the devastating impact of sophisticated Russian cyber attacks, underscoring the need for robust defence measures.

Cyber wars

NATO’s Washington Summit Declaration Highlights Growing Cyber Threats

The alliance’s official statement from Washington’s summit brought the cyber domain under sharper scrutiny. Leaders warned that Russia and China could pose increasingly sophisticated digital risks and hinted that these powers might even forge a strategic partnership—an alarming prospect for global security.

Establishing a Unified Cyber Front

In response to these evolving challenges, NATO unveiled a brand‑new initiative: the Integrated Cyber Defence Centre. This centre aims to

• Co‑ordinate civilian and military experts across the NATO Enterprise
• Include allied nations who share a commitment to cyber resilience
• Leverage industry specialists to bring cutting‑edge technology into defence operations

The goal is to create a seamless, cross‑sector alliance that can quickly adapt to cyber incidents and maintain robust safeguards for all member states.

Spotlight on Hushmesh—The “New Web” Startup

A start‑up that has drawn NATO’s interest is Hushmesh. The company is developing what it calls “the new web,” a safer, more efficient internet architecture that promises

• Enhanced privacy through end‑to‑end encryption
• Greater efficiency for data traffic across global networks
• A resilience framework suited for both civilian and defence systems

By integrating Hushmesh’s innovations, NATO hopes to strengthen its cyber defence strategy and bring fresh perspectives to the evolving digital battlefield.

Secure Messaging Solution Hushmesh Aims to Empower NATO Allies

Overview of the Emerging Platform

Hushmesh is a next‑generation messaging service that promises unparalleled security for military communications. The U.S. company behind it, led by CEO Manu Fontaine, is preparing the platform for a NATO pilot launch slated for 2025.

Key Features and Security Guarantees

• Built on an infrastructure that is inherently secure and continuously verified.
• End‑to‑end encryption with keys inaccessible to any human operator.
• Real‑time monitoring capabilities without revealing message contents.

Fontaine explained to Euronews Next that while users can observe the system’s performance, they cannot inspect the specific messages flowing through it. “The data is truly encrypted with keys that no humans have access to,” he emphasized.

Alignment with NATO’s Technological Strategy

The Washington Summit Declaration highlights NATO’s commitment to closely track battlefield technologies in Ukraine. The organization intends to employ rapid experimentation and expedited adoption of new tools to maintain strategic advantage.

Industry Perspective: Lobster Robotics

According to Rutenne le Kunt, CEO of Lobster Robotics, government procurement has historically been a “nightmare,” but there is a gradual shift toward agility and openness to innovation. “A lot of countries are transforming their procurement processes because they see how effectively the new tech performs in Ukraine,” Rutene mentioned.

He added that while progress is being made every day, “it will still take several more years before we see full operational integration.”

Next Steps and Expectations

• Finalization of the pilot program for 2025.
• Continuous verification and security testing to meet NATO’s stringent standards.
• Establishment of a secure communication channel that can adapt swiftly to evolving warfare scenarios.

Access and Engagement

Users and stakeholders can navigate the platform through accessible shortcuts, ensuring seamless integration across diverse operating systems.