This case study, one of four, examines Finland’s approach to digital capabilities. It identifies lessons that can be drawn from Finland’s experience and approach.

Enabling NATO Digital Capabilities

Lessons from Finnish investment in digital capabilities for defence

Judith Huismans, Rebecca Lucas, Ondrej Palicka, Sarah Winder, Erik Silfversten

ResearchPublished Jan 21, 2026

Ahead of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)’s Summit in The Hague, Microsoft commissioned a range of think tanks and research organisations to conduct projects examining digital capability across defence. The projects are intended to help to better articulate how NATO and its members can progress the development of digital capabilities and encourage informed dialogue before and after the Summit. As part of this effort, RAND Europe proposed to write papers across three aspects of digital capability development.

This case study is one of four country-based deep dives that were written as part of Paper 1: this case study covers Finland, while the other three cover Estonia, Poland, and Sweden. Research for this document was based on a literature review, stakeholder interviews, and workshops. The short studies provide examples of how different NATO Allies have approached digital capability development. They are intended to be read alongside the other research papers as an addition or supplement.

Key Findings

  • Finland has invested heavily in both the technologies and skills that enable digital capabilities in both the civilian and military sectors as part of its comprehensive approach to security.
  • Finland’s comprehensive approach is also reflected in the defence sector, where Defence has worked towards a whole-of-society approach to digitalisation.
  • Finland’s approach to digitalisation and digital capabilities is reflected in a number of its key strategy documents, including its Security Strategy for Society, Digital Framework Finland, and Digital Compass.

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Huismans, Judith, Rebecca Lucas, Ondrej Palicka, Sarah Winder, and Erik Silfversten, Enabling NATO Digital Capabilities: Lessons from Finnish investment in digital capabilities for defence. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 2026. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA3831-5.html.
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This research was sponsored by Microsoft and conducted within the Defence, Security and Justice Program within RAND Europe.

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