NATO demonstrates equipment and prototype innovations in Crystal Arrow Exercise
NATO’s Crystal Arrow Exercise saw standard red on blue engagements as well as equipment demonstrations. (Photo: author)
The Crystal Arrow Exercise is being used by NATO as a way to put new equipment such as uncrewed ground and aerial vehicles into the hands of alliance users, particularly Latvian and Baltic forces.
NATO is working to improve procurement processes and make it easier for countries to purchase common and compatible equipment in a competitive way, with one example being the creation of a marketplace for counter-uncrewed aerial system (CUAS) weapons.
This week’s Crystal Arrow 2026 exercise, which is taking place across northern Latvia, is described by the organisation as not just a military training exercise but also as an opportunity to test new concepts and evaluate and present new uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs).
Claudio Palestini, head of the innovation adoption unit at NATO’s defence innovation, industry and armament division (D2IA), spoke to media
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Land Warfare
-
![Bittium deploys AI to turn combat radios into EW sensors]()
Bittium deploys AI to turn combat radios into EW sensors
Bittiium's Integrated Spectrum Situational Awareness concept, developed in partnership with MarshallAI, allows tactical radios to act as EW sensors via a software upgrade, integrating equipment already in use with new electromagnetic capabilities, and leveraging existing networks as multi-sensor electronic warfare (EW) assets.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: Savox launches MissionCore battlefield integration platform]()
Eurosatory 2026: Savox launches MissionCore battlefield integration platform
Savox Communications has unveiled MissionCore, a modular C4ISR platform designed to integrate voice, video and sensor data across existing military networks.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: Allison aims to future-proof Europe’s AFVs with transmission tech]()
Eurosatory 2026: Allison aims to future-proof Europe’s AFVs with transmission tech
Allison has brought two of its latest automatic transmissions for military vehicles to Eurosatory 2026, the 4040MX for tracked armoured fighting vehicles (AFVs) and the 4000 series for wheeled AFVs.
-
![SYSNAV unveils GPS-independent soldier tracking system]()
SYSNAV unveils GPS-independent soldier tracking system
SYSNAV has launched its LocIndoor Blue Force Tracking solution at Eurosatory 2026, providing dismounted troops with positioning capabilities in GPS-denied environments.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: Vegvisir sets connectivity in contested environments in its sights]()
Eurosatory 2026: Vegvisir sets connectivity in contested environments in its sights
Maintaining connectivity in contested environments, where essential networks can easily be disrupted by enemy forces, has emerged as a key challenge in modern warfare. Estonian company Vegvisir aims to tackle that problem with a new Communications Module unveiled at Eurosatory.
