Nokia Federal Solutions and Lockheed Martin announced a modular, open‑architecture 5G solution for U.S. and allied defense platforms. The system builds on Nokia’s carrier‑grade 5G hardware and aligns with the Department of War’s open‑architecture standards, including the CMOSS specification, to deliver secure, resilient communications in operational environments.
The hybrid network combines Nokia’s commercial 5G equipment with Lockheed Martin’s 5G.MIL platform, creating a plug‑and‑play architecture that delivers high‑speed, low‑latency connectivity while meeting the stringent security and resilience requirements of military vehicles and platforms.
The launch follows a 2025 collaboration that integrated Nokia’s military‑grade 5G into Lockheed Martin’s 5G.MIL Hybrid Base Station, and it is part of Nokia’s broader defense‑sector strategy that includes a $4 billion investment in U.S. R&D and manufacturing. The partnership positions Nokia to capture a growing market for open‑systems communications and to compete with other defense‑focused 5G vendors.
Nokia’s Q1 2026 results showed revenue of €4.50 billion, up 2 % year‑over‑year, and a net income of €87 million after a loss the previous quarter, reflecting strong cost control and a favorable mix of high‑margin commercial and government contracts. Gross margin rose 270 basis points to 44.2 %, and operating margin increased 200 basis points to 6.2 %. Lockheed Martin reported revenue of $18 billion, flat from the same period last year, and net earnings of $1.5 billion, down from $1.7 billion, driven by working‑capital pressures and timing of billing. The partnership is expected to strengthen both companies’ defense portfolios and support Nokia’s goal of expanding its footprint beyond commercial telecom.
Mike Loomis, President and CEO of Nokia Federal Solutions, said, 'Nokia recognizes the need to adapt our advanced technology portfolio to align with DoW‑defined open systems. This launch reflects how Nokia is building focused defense capabilities, leveraging our commercial technology and strong partnerships into a meaningful, ready‑to‑use solution that is deployable by our defense customers.' Sarah Hiza, SVP for Technology and Strategic Innovation at Lockheed Martin, added, 'Moving advanced communications from concept into the field requires discipline, scale, and an understanding of how defense systems are built and sustained. This collaboration is about rapidly delivering capability that can be deployed, sustained and trusted over the long term.'
Investors responded favorably to Nokia’s announcement, while Lockheed’s market sentiment was tempered by concerns about its recent earnings, reflecting the broader context of the defense industry’s shift toward open‑systems 5G solutions.
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