Business Opportunities in the Defence and Security industry – Defence4SME Training

Commercial and Technical Expertise for SMEs in the Defence and Security Industry

Demand for defence and security-related products and services has grown significantly in recent years and is expected to continue increasing. This creates growth opportunities for companies and professionals who can understand and serve the defence and security industry. However, availability of this expertise in the labour market is unfortunately limited, creating a bottleneck for the growth of many companies. Defence4SME training is designed to address this challenge by equipping SME professionals with the expertise and competencies needed to successfully engage and serve the defence and security sector.

The Training focuses on three key areas:

A) Defence and security industry ecosystem, dual-use product development and procurement processes

B) Disruptive technologies shaping the sector

C) Analysis of market and field data for better products and services

Who is this training for?

You work as an employee or business owner in a small or medium-sized enterprise (fewer than 250 employees), and you:

• want to gain a deeper understanding of how the defence and security industry ecosystem and procurement processes operate including NATO procurement opportunities
• want to assess how your company’s products or services could serve the needs of the defence and security sector for instance as a dual-use product
• want to develop technical knowledge and understand how the latest technologies are applied in defence and security-related products, as well as how products are developed and tested to meet current technical and quality requirements
• are curious about the opportunities offered by the industry
• are committed to attending all five on site training days, completing the self-study materials between the on site sessions, sharing your expertise and participating actively through group assignments and case-based work.

Admission to the Training does not require specific formal educational background. However, an interest in the named topics will support successful completion of the Training.

Content of the Training

Defence4SME Training consists of four courses with a total of 10 ECTS credits.

• Supply Chain Management in Defence (3 ects)
  • Participant can contribute to the growth opportunities emerging within the defence and security industry by understanding the logistic and procurement principles, processes, ecosystem and legacy of the defence and security industry especially in NATO markets.
• Disruptive Technologies in Defence (3 ects)
  • The participant will be able to identify the most significant new defence and security technologies such as drone and autonomous technologies, understand the opportunities and risks associated with them, and assess how technological development may transform products, services and security environment
• Seeing Through Field Data (2 ects)
  • Participant can identify the most crucial operational measurements and data sources, knows how to iterate product based on the market data signals, can analyze data and execute dashboards and actions based on the situational data.
• Defence Project (2 ects)
  • Hands-on project for testing a range of disruptive technologies for company’s product development purposes and to further develop product based on market insights, data and expert feedback.

Training Structure and Timing

Duration of the Training is four months and it is designed to be flexibly completed alongside with professional commitments. It consists of four light study modules. The Training includes a total of five on site training days. Between the on site sessions, participants study through the online learning environment, work in small groups and complete independent assignments. The Training is delivered in collaboration with industry partners and features guest lectures from several leading experts in their respective fields. The language of instruction is English.

On site Training days

• Autumn 2026
  • Thu 24.9.2026 (10:00-16:00)
  • Fri 25.9.2026 (10:00-16:00)
  • Fri 23.10.2026 (10:00-16:00)
  • Fri 20.11.2026 (10:00-16:00)

  • Fri 11.12.2026 (10:00-16:00)

• Spring 2027
  • Thu 28.1.2027 (10:00-16:00)
  • Fri 29.1.2027 (10:00-16:00)
  • Fri 12.3.2027 (10:00-16:00)
  • Fri 16.4.2027 (10:00-16:00)
  • Fri 14.5.2027 (10:00-16:00)

Applying to the Training

The training will be arranged twice:

• Autumn 2026: 24.9.2026 - 11.12.2026
• Spring 2027: 28.1.2027 - 14.5.2027

Pre-register for the training courses for autumn 2026 and spring 2027

Price

Training is Funded by The Service Centre for Continuous Learning and Employment (SECLE) and is free of charge for participant.

Further information on the Background

Investments in the defence and security sector are currently focused on unmanned systems, drone technologies, artificial intelligence, sensors, satellite and quantum technologies. The war in Ukraine has accelerated the development of areas such as FPV drones, drone swarms, counter-drone systems, real-time situational awareness, sensor fusion, and autonomous decision-making. At the same time, the technological focus has shifted from individual systems towards intelligently networked systems that use data effectively e.g. autonomous multi-agent systems.

The changing European security environment, increasing defence investments, and Finland’s NATO membership are opening new business opportunities for Finnish SMEs. Many companies in software, electronics, construction, manufacturing, and professional services already have capabilities and solutions that can meet the growing demand in the defence sector, either directly or as part of broader supply chains. The training will cover practical first steps for entering the market, including obtaining an NCAGE code, understanding defence industry networks, the fundamentals of NATO procurement, and ways to identify the dual-use potential of a company’s products and services.

Funded by The Service Centre for Continuous Learning and Employment

The training has been funded by the Service Centre for Continuous Learning and Employment (SECLE). The Service Centre promotes the competence development of working-age people and the availability of skilled labour. The operations of the Service Centre are overseen by the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment.

Rights to make changes are reserved.