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NATO Prepares to Award €3 Billion in Contracts

The alliance plans to launch 40 technology projects over two years.

The NATO Communications and Information Agency will preview details of 40 upcoming business opportunities at its annual industry conference NITEC17 to be held April 24-26 in Ottawa, Canada. Agency officials intend to put 40 contracts out to tender in the next 18 to 24 months as part of a €3 billion ($3.26 billion) technology refresh.

Various program officials will discuss tangible opportunities coming to market, including international competitive bids in the following areas:

The expansion of satellite communications bandwidth vital for deployed forces (€1.7 billion; $1.85 billion).
A refresh of NATO’s cyber shield as part of investments in cybersecurity services (€71  million; $77.2 million).
Air and missile defense command and control (€800 million; $870 million).
A continuing upgrade of NATO’s networks (€220 million; $239 million).
Advanced software to improve NATO’s operational situational awareness and command and control   (€180 million; $196 million).

With the Ottawa conference, NATO officials aim to further expand the alliance’s industry partnerships, to engage small and medium enterprises and innovative, cutting-edge businesses, particularly in the light of cyber threats.

The contracting opportunities are part of NATO’s common funding, which is financed by all 28 nations. The current business opportunities represent an increase over the €800 million announced in 2015 and are on par with the €3 billion announced last year.

The NATO Communications and Information Agency and the European chapter of the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association are presenting the NITEC17 conference in cooperation with Canada’s Department of National Defence.