NATO to Conduct Digital Backbone Experimentation in Latvia

This week, NATO will start a two week long Digital Backbone Experiment (DiBaX) in the 5G test site at Ādaži military base and other places in Latvia. During the DiBaX experiment, new technologies like 5G mobile telecommunications, drones and low-earth orbit satellites will be demonstrated and experimented with to determine the degree to which they may support multi-domain operations (MDO), where seamless interconnectivity of forces operating across land, maritime, air, space, and cyber domains is paramount.

Rapidly developing technologies have the potential to support interoperability and operational effectiveness for NATO military. The Digital Backbone is a critical component of NATO’s infrastructure, providing connectivity for MDO operations. The DiBaX will showcase the latest advancements in technology and explore how they can be integrated into real-world environments to enhance interoperability and effectiveness among allied forces.

“The 5G military test site created at the Military Base Ādaži demonstrates the ability of Latvia's defence infrastructure to host experiments of this level and provides an opportunity for the Latvian Armed Forces to train in cooperation with industry and allies. This particular project demonstrates our close partnership with NATO and our allies, but also the importance of industry and high-end technology companies. This facilitates development of the National Armed Forces capabilities which are needed for mitigating current security and defence challenges,” underlines Latvia’s Defence Minister Andris Sprūds. 

"The experiment participants have conducted meticulous planning, design and preparations of the networks and scenarios we will run.  The teams are ready to showcase some very exciting breakthroughs for the benefit of the operational community.   Also, we are examining how we can deploy these technologies in a manner that is energy efficient.  The progress we have made is a reflection of the partnership between HQ SACT and the Latvian Ministry of Defence, National Armed Forces supported by the test bed provider LMT.  In the end, the results inform capability development to contribute to strengthening NATO’s deterrence and defence posture and maintain and further develop NATO’s military advantage into the future,” notes Warren Low at NATO Allied Command Transformation (ACT).

“Four years ago, we launched Europe’s first-ever 5G military test site at the military base. Today, we have established an excellent local defence ecosystem in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence, the National Armed Forces, and industry partners, as well as with international partners. Various 5G innovation tests are being conducted in Ādaži within both the European Union and NATO frameworks, with Latvian Mobile Telephone company acting as the integrating partner in the field. This collaboration allows us to achieve results much faster—what might take multiple years elsewhere, we can accomplish in just a few months.” – Ingmārs Pūķis, Vice President at Latvian Mobile Telephone company.

For the third consecutive year, NATO will conduct its next-gen technology experiment in Latvia – this year, with a strategic focus on MDO operations and aligning with the Digital Backbone. Latvia's advanced 5G test environment provides an ideal platform for such experiments. No less important is the country's commitment to strengthening its defence capabilities, which aligns with NATO’s objectives as the Alliance faces unprecedented security challenges. 

DiBaX is Led by NATO HQ SACT and the Latvian Ministry of Defence, and the Latvian National Armed Forces. LMT is the integrator of the event providing the state-of-the-art 5G Test Site.

MoD Military Public Affairs Department
Media Relations Section
Phone: 67335093
E-mail: prese@mod.gov.lv