25 years of defence engineering – demand for design expertise is now higher than ever
The defence industry is experiencing a historically strong growth phase. The number of projects has multiplied, and new technology is being created alongside the old. At Comatec, the situation is reflected in growing demand, as we are now able to use our defence engineering expertise to benefit an even wider customer base.
The global political situation and the growth of Western armaments are reflected in strong growth in the defence industry. While even large organisations may have had one project per year, they may now have ten. The growing market also attracts new players who do not necessarily have ready-made processes for the requirements of the industry. This is precisely why the need for our design expertise in the field is increasing.
“We have more than 25 years of experience working in Defence Engineering business. For example, starting in the early 2000s we have worked with armored personnel carriers and all possible systems integrated into them. We have expertise in land, sea and airborne equipment. We are proficient in mechanical, electrical, automation and hydraulic engineering, as well as offering comprehensive calculation and simulation services,” Lauri Siukola sums up.
Siukola started as Director of Defence Engineering at Comatec a year ago, having previously been responsible for the engineering and product development of Patria Land’s Protected Mobility, i.e. armored personnel carriers and their weapon systems.
Expertise tailored to the needs of the defence industry
Siukola points out that the principles of Comatec’s core areas of expertise, such as mechanical, electrical and automation design, are the same regardless of whether the machine or equipment being designed is used for civilian or military purposes.
“In addition to these traditional fields of design, a lot of expertise has emerged as technologies and customer requirements have developed, especially related to the needs of the defence industry. For example, our experts help with matters related to requirements and standards management, verification, and risk assessment,” Siukola explains.
The defence industry is typically subject to heavier customer requirements than the civilian sector. E.g. the original manufacturer of a device is often required to support the product’s lifecycle for up to almost 30 years, meaning spare parts and support must be available for a quarter of a century after commissioning. Lifecycle support, planning and documentation are all produced under our Integrated Logistics Support (ILS).
“When we talk about the defence industry, we must also keep in mind the requirements related to safety and security. Functional and system safety are a different story, but today, cyber security must also be taken into account,” Siukola says.
The market is growing rapidly
Typically, the defence industry has a slow rhythm, and new projects are rarely launched. Now, the strong growth of the sector is reflected in resource gaps, even for large operators,
“We have 550 experts from different fields under the same roof, and we are able to offer additional resources in an agile way to meet our customers’ needs. In addition to high-quality engineering, we have the necessary special expertise, which can be difficult to acquire from the customer’s own organisation on a tight schedule,” Siukola says.
The growing market is also constantly attracting new, small and mid-sized players to the defence equipment industry. So-called dual-use products offer business potential to many companies that have not previously been active in the defence equipment field.
“Dual-use products, such as drones, may be completely ready as civilian products, but as a defence tool, they face new requirements in terms of delivery and approval processes. We are familiar with these processes, so we can help companies striving to enter this growing market moving forward,” Siukola promises.
In addition to sufficient resources, the growth of the defence industry requires companies to have a new kind of agility, expertise and ability to respond to strict requirements. We offer comprehensive support: strong engineering expertise, knowledge of the special requirements of the sector, and resources that scale according to the customer’s needs. When the market is changing rapidly, the right partner can make the project a success.
Text: Marianne Valta
Photo: Laura Tammisto
