# Nordic-Baltic Research Alliance Formed for Total Defence

- Source: Nordic Defence Sector (https://nordicdefencesector.com)
- Canonical URL: https://nordicdefencesector.com/en/article/nordic-baltic-research-alliance-formed-for-total-defence
- Published: 2026-06-15
- Author: Jacob Wollheim
- Type: News · Country: sweden
- Language: en — machine translation from sv; the sv version is authoritative: https://nordicdefencesector.com/sv/article/nordic-baltic-research-alliance-formed-for-total-defence.md
- Also available in: de (https://nordicdefencesector.com/de/article/nordic-baltic-research-alliance-formed-for-total-defence.md), dk (https://nordicdefencesector.com/dk/article/nordic-baltic-research-alliance-formed-for-total-defence.md), es (https://nordicdefencesector.com/es/article/nordic-baltic-research-alliance-formed-for-total-defence.md), fi (https://nordicdefencesector.com/fi/article/nordic-baltic-research-alliance-formed-for-total-defence.md), fr (https://nordicdefencesector.com/fr/article/nordic-baltic-research-alliance-formed-for-total-defence.md), it (https://nordicdefencesector.com/it/article/nordic-baltic-research-alliance-formed-for-total-defence.md), no (https://nordicdefencesector.com/no/article/nordic-baltic-research-alliance-formed-for-total-defence.md), pl (https://nordicdefencesector.com/pl/article/nordic-baltic-research-alliance-formed-for-total-defence.md)
- Primary source: https://www.ri.se/sv/nyheter/forskningsinstitut-i-norden-och-baltikum-starker-europas-sakerhet
- Tags: rise, vtt, sintef, dti, metrosert, rto4def, nordefco, nato diana, sverige, finland, norge, danmark, estland, sweden, norway, denmark, estonia

> Five research institutes in Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark and Estonia have formed the alliance RTO4DEF to strengthen total defence capability in the Nordic and Baltic regions.

![Representatives from RISE, VTT, SINTEF, DTI and Metrosert signed the vision document for the RTO4DEF alliance in Brussels in June 2026.](https://imagedelivery.net/XO8UY-c6-LfWgEjQsN8IQw/b9b12ca1-1fc1-4012-0120-26c36b641400/public)
*Representatives from RISE, VTT, SINTEF, DTI and Metrosert signed the vision document for the RTO4DEF alliance in Brussels in June 2026. · Foto: VTT*

**Five technology research institutes from the Nordic and Baltic regions have signed a vision document and formed the alliance RTO4DEF (Research and Technology Organisations for Nordic-Baltic Total Defence) to mobilise civilian and *dual-use* research in support of total defence.**

The parties are RISE (Sweden), VTT (Finland), SINTEF (Norway), DTI (Denmark) and Metrosert (Estonia). The signing took place at a meeting in Brussels, [according to RISE](https://www.ri.se/sv/nyheter/forskningsinstitut-i-norden-och-baltikum-starker-europas-sakerhet).

The collaboration focuses on research, innovation, testing and knowledge exchange. Its purpose is described as strengthening societal security, total defence preparedness and industrial resilience. The institutes' combined organisation encompasses approximately 10,000 engineers, researchers and specialists, as well as research and technology infrastructure, [according to VTT](https://www.vttresearch.com/en/news-and-ideas/nordic-baltic-research-alliance-accelerate-defence-innovation).

The institutes' commitments within the alliance include coordination of test beds and validation facilities for critical systems, coordinated expert support in technologies, standards and industrial capabilities relevant to total defence, as well as strengthened supply security and resilience.

"The geopolitical developments and Sweden's and Finland's NATO membership mean that we, as technology research institutes, are now stepping forward to both strengthen our collective capability and demonstrate how civilian and *dual-use* research contributes to strengthening Europe's security and competitiveness," says Malin Frenning, CEO of RISE, in the press release.

Johan Rosell, responsible for total defence at RISE, states that the institutes' expertise and technology infrastructure for testing, demonstration and verification constitute a key component in the development of technologies, standards and industrial capabilities relevant to total defence.

VTT states that the alliance is aligned with NORDEFCO's (Nordic Defence Cooperation) Vision 2030 and that it will deepen Nordic defence cooperation. VTT also hosts NATO DIANA's (Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic) innovation accelerator and test centre in Finland.

## FAQ

**Which institutes are part of the RTO4DEF alliance and what is their combined capability?**

RTO4DEF consists of five institutes: RISE (Sweden), VTT (Finland), SINTEF (Norway), DTI (Denmark), and Metrosert (Estonia). Together they encompass approximately 10,000 engineers, researchers, and specialists, as well as shared research and technology infrastructure. The signing of the vision document took place at a meeting in Brussels. Last fact-checked: 2026-06-15.

**What is the purpose of RTO4DEF and what commitments have the institutes made within the alliance?**

The alliance aims to mobilise civil and dual-use-oriented research to strengthen societal security, total defence preparedness, and industrial resilience. The commitments include coordination of test beds and validation facilities, coordinated expert support in technologies and standards, and enhanced supply security. The collaboration also encompasses research, innovation, and knowledge exchange. Last fact-checked: 2026-06-15.

**How does RTO4DEF connect to NATO and Nordic defence cooperation?**

VTT states that RTO4DEF is aligned with NORDEFCO's Vision 2030 and is intended to deepen Nordic defence cooperation. VTT also hosts NATO DIANA's innovation accelerator and test centre in Finland. RISE Director General Malin Frenning highlights Sweden's and Finland's NATO membership as a driving force behind the formation of the alliance. Last fact-checked: 2026-06-15.

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