NATO Command and Control Unit in Riihimäki: brings 60 new jobs

9.3.2026 News Participate and influence Vitality Define Housing safety Employment Trying

Hands holding a remote control transmitting the image, in front a low, small, unmanned green armored vehicle, in the background people in a foggy clearing, some holding a camera. — New technology was tested at the NATO Innovation Range event in December 2025. Photo: Juho Haavisto

On 6 March 2026, Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen decided that NATO's new Command and Control Unit will be located in Riihimäki. The unit is scheduled to start operations in early 2027.

NATO announced in mid-February 2026 that it would station a new command and control unit in Finland. At the time of the decision, the exact location of the unit in Finland was not clear. The Ministry of Defence announced today, 9 March 2026, that the unit would be stationed in Riihimäki. The news is significant for the city and the entire Kanta-Häme region.

The regional economic impact of the management system unit based on communication technology is extensive. The management system unit employs sixty people, and the positions are filled by Finnish personnel. The unit will thus significantly increase the number of high-skilled jobs in the region. In addition, the indirect employment and economic impact of the management system unit will extend widely across the region.

"Getting a management system unit in Riihimäki is a historic, turning point in the development of a city of just under thirty thousand inhabitants. It is also a great continuation of the core functions of the Defence Forces Artificial Intelligence Centre and Innovation Unit, which started in Riihimäki at the beginning of 2026," says Mayor Jouni Eho.

The Command and Control System Unit's mission is to provide telecommunications and information system services to support the command and control of NATO forces and command echelons in Finland and, if necessary, throughout the Alliance. The unit focuses on serving the command and control systems of the northern NATO region.

The decision strengthens the city of Riihimäki's position as a traditional garrison town for signal weapons. It also concretizes the city's Define project vision of being a world-class defense network.

"Thanks to the command system unit located in Riihimäki, we can gain more momentum in integrating innovations into operational activities in NATO and the Finnish Defence Forces. This is a great opportunity for Define's companies, and we are ready to support the new unit's operations in every possible way. Define has worked purposefully with NATO units. Recently, we have supported NATO exercises and activities more broadly as part of the NATO Innovation Range," says Teemu Seppälä, the city's Director of Technology and Innovation.

Several units of the Finnish Defence Forces focused on technology and command systems operate in Riihimäki. They are mainly located in the Riihimäki Garrison, which administratively falls under the jurisdiction of the Armoured Brigade.

Among the companies in the field located in Riihimäki are Sako Oy (Beretta Group), which manufactures rifles and cartridges, and Millog Oy, which is a strategic partner of the Finnish Defence Forces.

What is Define?

Define, or Defence Innovation Network Finland, is a project launched by the City of Riihimäki that brings together defence and security companies, educational institutions and research institutes into a network and innovation ecosystem. Define aims to promote the competitiveness of participants and increase the turnover of companies.

Define's activities are financed by the City of Riihimäki, Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK), the City of Hämeenlinna, Forssan Yrityskehitys Oy, Millog Oy and Sako Oy and OP Häme. In addition, a significant part of the funding comes from the EU Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The EU funding has been granted by the Häme County Council. Define has been accepted as a member of the ENDR cooperation network of the European Commission and European defense industry actors.