Telefónica has taken a qualitative leap in the field of defense by consolidating itself as NATO leader in 5G technologyA role that draws on her experience in advanced mobile networks and more than fifteen field tests conducted in real-world military scenarios. This work positions her as one of the best positioned European actors to bring 5G to the heart of allied operations.
Thanks to this track record, the Spanish company, together with the Ministry of Defense, has promoted the creation of first European center specializing in cyber defense with 5G technologywhose solutions will be integrated into NATO projects. This move reinforces both the operational capacity of the Armed Forces and Spain's commitment to its own technological sovereignty in the field of security.
A pioneering 5G cyber defense center in Europe
the so-called Development, training and testing center for military cyber defense operations using 5G technology, known as the 5G Cyber Defense Center or CDAP 5G, is located in the Community of Madrid and has been developed in collaboration with the Joint Cyber Command of the Armed Forces (MCCE)This space has become the reference laboratory where the capabilities of 5G applied to military operations are evaluated, trained and refined.
These facilities protect the Ministry of Defense critical asset communicationssuch as radars, drones, weapons systems, barracks, and the combatant deployed on the ground. The center allows for the execution of complex operational scenarios to test the extent to which the 5G network performs in demanding environments, both in terms of transmission capacity and security and resilience against potential attacks. Critical asset communications They require specific measures and alliances for their protection.
In addition to serving as a testing ground, the 5G Cyber Defense Center also acts as R&D and specialized training platform for Armed Forces personnel, combining practical exercises with the development of new digital tools. Among the most prominent lines of work is the integration of artificial intelligence solutions capable of detecting and anticipating cyberattacks in environments where multiple interconnected 5G nodes operate.
The NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) has selected this center for full integration into the NATO Digital FoundryThe Alliance's digital innovation initiative brings together data, infrastructure, and testing capabilities to accelerate the adoption of disruptive technologies. Within this ecosystem, CDAP 5G will contribute to creating standards and procedures that will serve as a benchmark for all partner countries.
The NATO Digital Foundry provides the basic data infrastructure, tools, and testing environments which will allow for the channeling of technological advances in the coming years. The inclusion of the Spanish center in this scheme places Spain in a relevant position when defining how 5G networks will be used in future NATO joint operations.
Telefónica, a 5G leader for Security and Defense
According to Javier López Gutiérrez, Director of Defense and Security at Telefónica Spain, the company is Consolidating since 2022 a specific 5G strategy for Security and Defensewith the aim of playing a prominent role not only in Spain, but also in the European Union and within the framework of NATO. The year 2026 marks a point of maturity for these efforts, with the center fully operational and connected to the Atlantic Alliance. The 5G deployment strategy It supports both civilian uses and mission-critical cases.
López emphasizes that this 5G space, geared towards an international organization the size of NATO, allows that The Spanish Army and Navy become an authority on hyperconnectivity and associated technologies. It's not just about the mobile network itself, but a set of integrated solutions artificial intelligence, edge computing and quantum computing as key pieces for managing real-time data and making decisions in critical scenarios.
Telefónica's vision involves combining Technological innovation, operational capacity, and experience in mission-critical environmentsThis dual approach—civilian and military—fits with NATO's trend of investing in dual-use technologies, capable of leveraging advances from the private sector and adapting them to the needs of the modern battlefield.
In this context, the Madrid center and its associated solutions reinforce the European technological sovereigntyby reducing external dependencies on sensitive communications infrastructure. Spain's contribution is part of a broader European Union strategy to gain autonomy in key sectors such as digital defense and advanced communications. More discussions on technological sovereignty They continue to shape strategic decisions.
5G tactical bubbles on land, sea, air, and cyberspace
One of the pillars of Telefónica's work with the Armed Forces is the deployment of 5G multi-domain tactical bubblesThat is, dedicated 5G networks that support military units in the various environments where they operate: land, sea, air, and cyberspace. These "bubbles" create secure, high-capacity connectivity zones where public networks don't reach.
The company has already completed its deployment of tactical bubbles across all operational domainsdemonstrating the potential of this technology in complex scenarios. One of the most recent milestones has been the incorporation of the Spain's first airborne 5G bubble, installed on a military aircraft at the Albacete air base for the Air Force and Space.
This use case was developed within the BACSI (Connected, Sustainable and Intelligent Air Base) project, an initiative that seeks to transform airfields through disruptive infrastructures that are more efficient, sustainable and secureThe 5G bubble was integrated with the rest of the aircraft's communication systems, including ground-based networks, so that connectivity remained stable during operation.
During the tests, the following was carried out VoNR (Voice Over New Radio) radio calls and secure video callsas well as real-time video transmission between two aircraft participating in the exercise. These tests served to verify the interoperability between different systems and the network's ability to handle critical traffic with low latency.
Beyond the air sector, Telefónica has explored the use of tactical 5G in other environments, such as tanks and ground vehiclesintegrating the bubbles with public networks and government satellite communications when necessary. The goal is to ensure that military units have reliable connectivity even in remote areas or during multinational deployments.
Real-world operations with embedded 5G nodes
The deployment in controlled environments has been complemented by NATO real-world testingA prominent example is the pilot on a NATO ship Developed in late 2025 in a mission of the Alliance's Standing Naval Forces under NATO's Maritime Command, where a 5G node was installed on board one of its ships.
For four months, the operator and a network of technology partners maintained an onboard 5G node to connect the ship to the rest of the group, including unmanned units. The experience enabled the establishment of high-speed, low-latency communications between different naval units, without relying on public networks or satellite links across the entire fleet.
This type of node creates a private connectivity bubble in the open seaThis allows for the secure exchange of data, video, and voice communications between ships, drones, and command centers. For NATO, these tests are key to defining how future connected fleets should operate in conflict or deterrence scenarios.
Telefónica has also transferred its experience to multinational exercises such as NATO DiBaXThe exercises explored the Alliance's role as a 5G service provider across different countries. These training exercises tested multi-domain operations, combining land, naval, air, and cyber resources under a single connectivity umbrella.
With this set of pilots and maneuvers, the Spanish company has been gaining ground as trusted technology partner for NATO command structures, which are looking for robust and scalable solutions to integrate 5G into their communications architecture.
Joint innovation and international projection
Telefónica's work in the defense sector is not limited to technical deployment, but also includes active participation in the international forums where the future of military 5G is debatedOne of the key showcases has been the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, where the company has presented its advances to the technology and security community.
At MWC, the session “5G Operational Experimentation: Defence and Innovation in the era of Dual-Use Technologies” was held, organized in the Telefónica Agora and led by officials such as Jesús Abraham, Director of Innovation in Defense, and Carlos de la Cuesta, Director of Defense Programs from Telefónica Spain. This forum has been used to share lessons learned by pilots with NATO and the prospects for the evolution of tactical networks.
According to information released by the company, participation in initiatives such as the NATO Digital Foundry and in major international events allows Connecting the Spanish defense industry with European partners and allies, facilitating the development of joint projects and the creation of a dual-technology ecosystem with both military and civilian impact.
The 5G cyber defense center also plays an important role in the training of military personnelwith training programs that cover everything from advanced network management to the use of artificial intelligence tools to anticipate cyber threats. This training approach ensures that the Armed Forces not only have the technology, but also the knowledge necessary to use it to its full potential.
All this effort places Spain as one of the countries that They are setting the pace in European digital defense.contributing capabilities, knowledge, and standards that other partners can adopt. For domestic industry, this represents an opportunity to expand beyond its borders and strengthen its position in the areas of security and innovation.
Taken together, the network of projects, centers, and tests that Telefónica has built around military 5G has transformed the company into a NATO benchmark in next-generation communications, while consolidating Spain as a key node in the development of digital defense capabilities, advanced cybersecurity and technological sovereignty in Europe.
