Millog’s concept for remote-assisted battle damage repair and mobile maintenance was put to the test at the Battlegroup 2025 airsoft event, in cooperation with the Digital Defence Ecosystem and technology partners.
The field trial of Millog’s remote-assisted battle damage repair and mobile maintenance concept took place in sweltering conditions, with temperatures nearing 30 degrees Celsius each day. The event took place from 23 to 25 July 2025 at Halli, Jämsä, an area formerly used by the Finnish Defence Forces for training.
The field trial was organised alongside Finland’s largest airsoft event, Battlegroup 2025, which attracted over 700 participants this year. According to Millog’s field test director and project coordinator Matti Honkela, Milsim events like Battlegroup provide an excellent platform for agile testing of maintenance concepts in an environment that mirrors real military operations.
“The event offers low-threshold conditions for introducing and quickly testing new equipment. The airsoft players are also highly dedicated to their sport and are eager to share their experiences and feedback on various battlefield functionalities,” says Honkela.
Developing New Solutions Through Collaboration
The field trial in Halli is part of a broader research project in which Millog is developing new maintenance and logistics services to address changes in the operational environment and identified operational needs. This particular trial focused on evaluating the benefits and practical applications of mobile maintenance points and remote-assisted repairs.
Millog organised the trial in collaboration with the Digital Defence Ecosystem (DDE). Several companies were also invited to test the suitability of their technologies and innovations for the given use cases. Examples included delivering spare parts with drones, supporting logistics with autonomous load handling equipment, and electrification solutions for the base.
In today’s rapidly changing global landscape, few companies possess the necessary expertise, resources, and agility to independently develop entirely new concepts.
Jarmo Puputti, Digital Defence Ecosystem Lead
According to Honkela cooperation with companies developing a wide range of technologies and innovations is vital for advancing new maintenance solutions.
“Millog’s concept development produces new operating models, which can then be complemented and supported by the technological capabilities of our partners,” he explains.
Jarmo Puputti, the DDE Ecosystem Lead, was pleased that Millog had invited organisations at various stages of development, ranging from start-ups in the early stages to companies with products ready for the market.
“It’s important that field trials also include innovations that are still in development. In today’s rapidly changing global landscape, few companies possess the necessary expertise, resources, and agility to independently develop entirely new concepts. Within an ecosystem, however, challenges can be tackled collectively, allowing promising ideas to emerge, be tested, refined and developed further quickly,” says Puputti.
One of the companies involved in the field trial was Finnish SADE Innovations, a developer of cloud and IoT solutions. According to Sales representative Sami Metsänperä, the company is currently exploring how its products could be applied in dual-use contexts.
“We want to gain a better understanding of what the defence sector needs from our solutions. That’s why events like this are so important. They provide a relatively open platform for discussion and exchanging views,” Metsänperä reflects.
During the trial, SADE Innovations tested the use of low-power, hard-to-detect sensor networks in field conditions. This solution enables the creation of a situational picture without revealing radio traffic. The event also paved the way for new contacts.
“We were able to showcase our expertise and s exchange ideas with other participants. With one company, we even agreed on future discussions,” Metsänperä notes.
“We Need This Kind of Innovative Activity”
Representatives from the Finnish Defence Forces came to visit the field trial. Among them was Colonel Mikael Laine, Finnish Army Chief of Logistics, who commended Millog for its initiative in developing new maintenance solutions. He also commended the partner companies for their “lion-hearted” commitment, which was evident in their efforts to strengthen Finland’s overall security.
“This is a concept worth exploring further, and we need this kind of innovative activity in today’s changing security landscape,” he encouraged.
According to Laine, Millog’s remote-assisted repair concept addresses recognised development needs. He emphasised the importance of testing the concept further in a military exercise.
“I would very much like to see similar activities during an Army exercise next year, where Army field units, logistics support and Millog train together,” he concluded.