Efficiency in Defence Operations: Connecting Strategic, Operational and Tactical Data

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Defence systems often suffer from a glaring disconnect between mission and logistics. ILIAS Solutions – a leading digital defence platform now under Patria’s wing – is set to close that gap. The acquisition marks Patria’s serious move into digital services.

Integrating ILIAS Solutions’ advanced expertise and software with Patria’s defence expertise will provide comprehensive solutions for modern military operations. Patria is adding digital tools and a fleet management system, raising its technological capabilities. Part of Patria, ILIAS Solutions brings proven software already in use worldwide, and offices from Denmark and the Netherlands to Australia. The two companies have worked together for several years.

ILIAS software supports the Army, Navy, and Air Force. It is used in aviation for maintaining aircraft and helicopters, as well as fleet management. The same applies to ground defence equipment, where Patria can now expand its services. “Sensing is now cheaper than before, allowing as many sensors to be installed as needed. As large amounts of data accumulate, the key issue is the ability to analyse and draw conclusions from it,” said Patria’s vice-president, Jussi Järvinen. “This enables more predictive maintenance, thereby also saving costs.”

Patria, a Finnish defence and technology company with over a century of experience, specialises in through-life capability support, protected mobility, defence systems, and battlefield-critical technology. It provides operational support across land, sea, and air.

Communicating Directly with Defence Industry

Harald Kokelkoren, COO of ILIAS Solutions at SecD-Day 2025, Helsinki. (Image: NDR)
Harald Kokelkoren, COO of ILIAS Solutions at SecD-Day 2025, Helsinki. (Image: NDR)

ILIAS has served NATO and Belgium for 25 years. This merger makes it a bigger player. “It will be easier for us to attract other big customers,” said Harald Kokelkoren, COO of ILIAS Solutions. “The values of Patria and ILIAS are totally in sync,” added Kokelkoren, a Military Academy graduate.

The deal accelerates growth for both sides. “It’s an absolute win-win. We like to work with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), particularly in the defence industry,” he said. Instead of only dealing directly with defence forces, ILIAS Solutions has focused on working with manufacturers.

Manufacturers, more than the defence forces, understand the challenges their equipment faces. “They need feedback and engineering data. They want to know how their equipment operates and what difficulties arise in training,” Kokelkoren said.

The idea was simple: if multiple defence forces operate within the same data structure, their routine work automatically provides feedback to the defence industry. By gathering data from different customers, the industry can analyse it and improve its products and services. Defence forces are understandably more focused on their own security than product development.

“And as a result, I see a lot of OEMs pushing our software into defence forces,” Kokelkoren said.

“If you integrate a single software capability across all of Patria’s engineering, the system becomes far more scalable.”

In the early 2000s, ILIAS began working with the Chilean Air Force after it acquired F-16 fighters. But how do you teach a country with no NATO experience and little prior American support to maintain a complex fleet successfully? “All the processes are there with the software,” said Harald Kokelkoren.

The Netherlands Air Force brought its expertise to Chile through the ILIAS software. Without it, the Chilean Air Force’s knowledge would have faded after the 14-month support period, as personnel rotated out.

This approach can now be replicated, for example, with Patria’s NH90 helicopter fleet. “It is the second most operable NH90 fleet worldwide. The other is in New Zealand,” Kokelkoren noted. “We can replicate that complex way of working. What works here works in other countries.”

Connecting the Mission to the Logistics

Brussels-based ILIAS Solutions has built a reputation as a leading developer of military-grade software designed to tackle the challenges of modern defence operations. Its flagship product, the ILIAS Defense Platform, provides a vertically integrated system that links strategic, operational, and tactical data. This gives military commanders real-time asset visibility, enabling data-driven decision-making across land, sea, and air.

The platform covers supply chain management, inventory oversight, maintenance scheduling, training coordination, and mission deployment planning. ILIAS Solutions also has a strong presence in the Asia-Pacific region and maintains offices in Australia.

“With all the complexities in defence, everyone is talking about availability and readiness. But if you don’t know the status today—let alone tomorrow—how are you going to make the best decision?” said Harald Kokelkoren, COO of ILIAS Solutions. That has been the company’s focus for 30 years. “Primarily, we support defence forces. We connect the mission to the logistics. That’s what’s often missing,” Kokelkoren said.

Partnerships and Digitalisation

Patria’s Executive Vice President of Finland Division, Jussi Järvinen at SecD-Day 2025, Helsinki. (Image: NDR)

Patria’s Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) strategy, launched in 2021, focuses on providing full lifecycle support for platforms and systems across all domains. “We will continue focusing our MRO efforts on mid-level markets, mid-sized fleets, and mid-sized platforms while also seeking new growth markets and international market entry,” said Patria’s Executive Vice President of Finland Division, Jussi Järvinen.

By integrating data-driven tools and decision-making processes, Patria aims to sustain customer assets throughout their lifecycle, ensuring high availability at optimised costs. The company provides MRO services for platforms, power units, components, and systems, supported by specialised tools and equipment.

In 2022, Patria acquired NEDAERO, a Dutch specialist in defence and aerospace components. This strengthened Patria’s maintenance and lifecycle support business, particularly in Europe, and expanded its capabilities in both civil and military aviation.

Patria is also shifting from manual, paper-based processes to digital workflows across its MRO operations. This transition is designed to simplify processes, improve efficiency, reduce errors, and speed up turnaround times.


In 2022, Patria and Pratt & Whitney agreed to expand their long-term cooperation on the F100-PW-220/220E and F100-PW-229 military jet engines, used in F-16 and F-15 combat aircraft. This strengthened Patria’s MRO logistics and engineering support for F100 customers worldwide. Through these initiatives, Patria continues to refine its MRO strategy to meet growing demand, improve efficiency, and optimise operations, particularly in maintenance and lifecycle support.

Strategic Synergies and Mutual Benefits

Patria’s acquisition of ILIAS Solutions is expected to deliver significant advantages, combining their strengths to enhance defence solutions worldwide.

  • Enhanced Digital Services: Integrating ILIAS Solutions’ advanced software into Patria’s portfolio will strengthen its digital offerings. The ILIAS Defense Platform’s capabilities in fleet management, predictive maintenance, and real-time analytics will complement Patria’s existing services, improving efficiency and effectiveness for clients.
  • Expansion into New Markets: ILIAS Solutions’ presence in Australia and Southern Asia gives Patria strategic access to these regions. This aligns with Patria’s growth plans, allowing it to offer its defence solutions to a wider customer base.
  • Comprehensive Maintenance Solutions: Combining Patria’s expertise in maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) with ILIAS Solutions’ digital platforms will create a more integrated approach to fleet management. This ensures optimal performance and readiness of defence assets, meeting the demands of modern military operations.
  • Technological Innovation and Development: ILIAS Solutions will benefit from Patria’s resources and industry experience, driving further research and development in defence software. This partnership will foster innovation and deliver advanced technologies to clients.
  • Strengthened European Defence Collaboration: With deep European roots, both companies are well-placed to support joint European defence programs. Their collaboration will promote interoperability and standardisation across allied forces, reinforcing Europe’s collective security and defence capabilities.
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