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From Urban Battlefields to Connected Environments Three Innovations Presented at SOFINS 2025.
At SOFINS 2025, the exhibition dedicated to special forces and held at the Souge military camp in Bordeaux, the Army Recognition team met with three European defense companies presenting their latest technologies. NTGS, Aerix Systems, and Bittium each introduced solutions designed to meet current operational demands, combining mobility, precision, and next-generation connectivity. Discover their presentations in our exclusive field report video.
Displayed at SOFINS 2025 on a simple white van with standard suspension, the Alakran demonstrates the adaptability of artillery to urban combat needs (Picture source: Army Recognition)
NTGS (New Technologies Global Systems), a Spanish company known for its Alakran mobile mortar system, showcased a lighter version designed to be integrated into various types of light vehicles without requiring structural modifications. Displayed at SOFINS 2025 on a simple white van with standard suspension, the Alakran demonstrates the adaptability of artillery to urban combat needs. Its distinctive feature is that the mortar is deployed directly on the ground rather than fired from the vehicle, providing stability, discretion, and rapid redeployment. Compatible with both 81mm and 120mm barrels, the system offers firing capabilities up to 8.2 km while maintaining tactical mobility in asymmetric environments. Already in use in several conflict zones, including Ukraine, it is recognized for its operational simplicity and reliability.
Aerix Systems, a French company specializing in omnidirectional propulsion, presented the AXS-µ1 drone platform, designed for operations in confined, urban, or combat environments. Featuring propulsion that allows movement in any direction without repositioning, the drone can perform full rotations on all three axes, even under strong wind conditions. With a top speed of 200 km/h, a 20 km range, and centimetric precision, it is equipped to integrate a variety of sensors and modules via 32 mechanical attachment points and multiple electronic interfaces. The AXS-µ1 can be deployed in roles including loitering munition, micro-cruise missile, armed drone, or counter-UAS platform. Fully developed and manufactured in Bordeaux, it offers strategic industrial control and a flexible operational solution tailored to special operations requirements.
Bittium, a Finnish defense communications specialist, presented its latest secure communications systems for the digital battlefield. The Tough SDR, available in handheld and vehicular versions, forms the core of a software-defined radio (SDR) network architecture that ensures robust connectivity even in heavily contested electromagnetic environments. Compatible with both ESSOR and wideband standards, it enhances interoperability with allied forces while providing strong resistance to interference. With Bittium's Tactical Wireless IP Network (TAC WIN), a secure mesh network can be established between mobile units, supporting real-time command and data sharing. In an era where electronic warfare and spectrum dominance are central to modern operations, Bittium’s solutions aim to meet the critical need for resilient digital communications.
The demonstrations conducted at SOFINS 2025 by NTGS, Aerix Systems, and Bittium reflect a growing trend toward compact, specialized, and interoperable systems designed for the evolving nature of conflict, where speed, accuracy, and secure communications are essential. These technologies represent a new phase in the modernization of special operations capabilities, detailed in our on-site video report.