Defence operations are becoming more connected, mobile and data-driven than ever before. From tactical deployments and command centres to unmanned systems and cyber operations, secure and reliable communications are now essential to mission success.
As threats evolve and operational environments become more complex, defence organisations need trusted digital infrastructure that delivers real-time situational awareness, resilience in remote or contested areas, and full control over network performance and data security. Private mobile networks provide this foundation.
Why Are Private Networks Being Used in Defense?
Public mobile networks have evolved to offer features such as network slicing, which provides some degree of virtual separation and performance prioritisation. However, they still rely on shared infrastructure, offer limited operational control, and can be affected by unpredictable service levels and data breaches. These constraints make them unsuitable for mission-critical defence operations.
Private mobile networks offer a dedicated infrastructure with full visibility and control. Defence organisations can manage every aspect of the network, including where data is processed, how it is secured, and who can access it. This level of assurance is essential in environments where communication must remain secure, stable, and available at all times. Private networks are not just an upgrade in connectivity. They are a strategic asset that enables digital sovereignty, operational agility, and full control over mission-critical communications.
Key Benefits of Private Networks for Defense
Secure by Design
Private networks provide complete control over data flow, encryption, access, and infrastructure. This allows defence users to enforce strict security policies and protect sensitive operations from cyber threats, interference, or unauthorised access.
Assured Performance in Any Environment
Unlike public networks, private systems are engineered to deliver consistent service levels regardless of location or load. Whether operating in a fixed facility, a mobile command post, or a remote field environment, users can rely on uninterrupted connectivity.
Full Operational Control
With a private network, defence teams define how the network functions. This includes managing bandwidth allocation, prioritising traffic, integrating with legacy systems, and aligning the setup with mission-specific requirements.
Real-Time Responsiveness
Private networks support low-latency communication and edge processing. This enables real-time decision-making, remote system control, and live situational awareness across air, land, and sea domains.
Future-Ready Infrastructure
Private networks provide a foundation for advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, unmanned systems, and next-generation sensors. They can scale to meet future demand while remaining adaptable to changing mission needs.
Use Cases of Private Networks in Defense
Private networks support a wide range of military and defence operations. Below are some of the most important use cases that highlight how these networks enable security, agility and resilience across different domains.
Military Bases and Command Centres
Private networks are widely deployed in fixed command facilities and military installations where secure, real-time communication is essential. They support activities such as strategic planning, mission coordination and intelligence exchange. With full control of the network, personnel can communicate effectively whether they are in the same facility or deployed globally.
Tactical Operations in the Field
In live operational scenarios, defence teams require stable and secure communication at all times. Private networks ensure uninterrupted data flow for frontline units, enabling the transfer of battlefield intelligence, satellite imagery, and live surveillance feeds to support fast, informed decisions.
Autonomous Vehicles and Unmanned Systems
The increasing use of autonomous vehicles and aerial drones requires a network that can deliver low-latency, high-throughput performance. Private networks provide a reliable link between devices and their operators, supporting remote control, telemetry, and secure mission-critical data flows.
Cybersecurity and Intelligence Activities
Private networks offer a secure platform for information exchange and intelligence gathering. Sensitive data remains isolated from external threats, while robust access controls and encryption protect high-value operations against cyberattacks and data breaches.
Naval and Air Force Communications
Whether on ships, airbases or during deployment, defence forces rely on stable and secure communications between personnel, platforms and support systems. Private networks enable operations to continue independently of public infrastructure, ensuring continuity during combat and high-priority missions.
AWTG’s Real-World Deployments for Defence and Mission-Critical Environments
In addition to our deep understanding of defence communication needs, AWTG has delivered private network solutions in real-world scenarios that reflect the same challenges faced by defence organisations. These examples demonstrate our ability to integrate, customise and assure private networks under complex operational conditions.
Air-to-Ground Communications for Emergency Services Flight Trials
AWTG acted as the principal systems integrator for a secure Air-to-Ground (A2G) mobile network, developed to support flight trials for emergency services communications. The full solution was designed and delivered in collaboration with QinetiQ and deployed within two secure environments — one being a Ministry of Defence (MOD) site and the other a QinetiQ-controlled secure facility.
This deployment required strict adherence to defence-grade security protocols. All equipment, infrastructure and installation processes were aligned with the access control, safety, RF compliance and encryption requirements expected within sensitive government environments.
At Location A, the network included both a ground-facing and an air-facing cell. Aircraft initially connected to the ground network during taxi and take-off. Once airborne, devices handed over seamlessly to the air-facing cell to maintain secure uplink and downlink communications.
As the aircraft moved across the flight corridor, the onboard devices transitioned to a second air-facing cell at Location B, many kilometres away. The handover between locations was seamless, with uninterrupted data, voice and telemetry transmission.
AWTG also delivered the data collection, real-time analytics and performance reporting tools to validate system behaviour under operational conditions. This project proved our capability to design, integrate and assure secure mobile infrastructure within MOD-grade environments — meeting the high expectations of stakeholders in both technical and procedural domains.
Secure Industry 4.0 Network with Defence-Grade Controls
As part of a wider Industry 4.0 programme, AWTG delivered a secure private network in a controlled facility, including deployment within a restricted access area. Working in collaboration with QinetiQ, we developed and applied a security by design framework aligned with defence principles.
The network enabled high-assurance use cases such as robotic control, remote monitoring and AI-based data processing. We demonstrated how private networks can deliver advanced industrial applications in environments requiring strict policy compliance, traceability, and isolation — a direct match to defence manufacturing, logistics and maintenance environments.
AWTG’s FlexRAN: Transforming Private Networks for Defense
AWTG’s FlexRAN is a cutting-edge Open RAN platform designed to meet the evolving demands of defence and mission-critical environments. It combines performance, security and flexibility in a single, scalable solution that can be tailored for fixed, mobile and tactical deployments.
FlexRAN is engineered for real-world defence operations. It delivers secure, high-performance radio connectivity with the agility to support rapid deployment, remote operations and advanced applications such as autonomous systems, real-time surveillance and edge analytics.
It integrates seamlessly with 5G networks, enables edge computing for real-time decision-making, and is built to support the next generation of defence capabilities, without compromising on security, control or operational assurance.
Our teams work closely with defence clients to fine-tune and adapt FlexRAN to specific mission requirements. This includes adjusting network behaviour, customising feature sets and accelerating the development of priority capabilities through AWTG’s in-house research and development team.
- Military-Grade Security. Built-in encryption and access control, supporting secure communication in sensitive and classified environments.
- Mission Flexibility. Adaptable for air, land and sea deployments. Configurable for base stations, mobile units and remote field operations.
- Scalable and Customisable. From small tactical teams to wide-area installations, FlexRAN scales to match coverage, capacity and control requirements.
- 5G-Ready and Future-Proof. Seamless integration with 5G core networks to enable faster speeds, lower latency and advanced spectrum use.
- Edge Computing Integration. Real-time data processing at the network edge to support fast decisions and autonomy in time-critical operations.
- Operational Control. Full visibility and control of network features, user access, service priorities and data pathways.
- Rapid Deployment. Designed for speed of setup in temporary,
Private mobile networks are playing an increasingly vital role in modern defence. As digital infrastructure becomes as critical as physical assets, military organisations need solutions that combine security, reliability and operational control. From fixed bases and secure facilities to mobile and airborne operations, communications must remain resilient and mission-aligned.
AWTG’s FlexRAN was developed with this reality in mind. Our teams have delivered infrastructure into Ministry of Defence environments and secure partner facilities. We have seen first-hand what it takes to build and manage trusted communications systems under high-assurance conditions. These insights are embedded into FlexRAN’s architecture — from its encryption and edge computing capabilities to its deployment agility and real-time performance.
FlexRAN offers defence agencies a secure, scalable and future-ready network platform that can be customised to match the needs of each mission. With support for AI, 5G integration and low-latency processing at the edge, it enables military organisations to operate with confidence across domains.
If you are planning to deploy a secure private network for defence, AWTG’s FlexRAN is ready to support your mission. Already deployed in high-security environments, FlexRAN is not just a concept, it is an operational solution, built with defence-grade performance and flexibility.
Contact us to explore how FlexRAN can strengthen your communications, enhance operational readiness and ensure your network is prepared for the missions ahead.