Unmanned & Autonomous Systems for the High North
16–17 February 2027 | Harstad, Norway
Connecting operational experience, technological innovation and industrial capabilities in the High North.
HIGH NORTH DEFENCE INDUSTRY CLUSTER (HNDIC) invites defence and industry leaders, military and civilian decision-makers, technology developers, researchers and public-sector representatives to Harstad, Norway, for a conference dedicated to the opportunities and challenges of unmanned and autonomous systems in the High North.
Bringing together operational expertise, technological innovation and industrial capabilities, the conference will explore how emerging technologies can meet operational requirements, strengthen preparedness and create new opportunities for cooperation between defence, industry and research institutions.
Participants may register for the full conference or individual days. Lunch and dinner are available as separate bookings.
Why Attend?
Unmanned and autonomous systems are transforming military and civilian operations, creating new requirements for technology, operational capability and industrial cooperation.
For defence organisations and public authorities, understanding the possibilities and limitations of these technologies is increasingly important. For industry, insight into operational requirements provides a foundation for innovation, relevant solutions and future business opportunities.
The conference offers participants the opportunity to:
Gain operational insight: Explore the challenges, experiences and capability requirements associated with unmanned and autonomous operations in the High North.
Connect with relevant stakeholders: Engage with representatives from defence, industry, research institutions and public authorities.
Explore technological developments: Learn about emerging capabilities, innovative solutions and their potential operational applications.
Identify industrial opportunities: Explore potential partnerships, research initiatives and collaborative development projects.
Expand professional networks: Establish connections across military, industrial, academic and civilian sectors.
The High North: Challenges and Opportunities
The High North is a region of considerable strategic importance to Norway and its allies. Its geography, climate and infrastructure create demanding conditions for military and civilian operations.
Extreme weather, long distances, complex logistics and limited connectivity place particular requirements on equipment, communications, operational planning and technological reliability.
Yet these challenges also present opportunities. Technologies capable of operating effectively in Arctic and sub-Arctic environments can offer significant operational and commercial advantages, both regionally and internationally.
Meeting these requirements calls for close cooperation between operational users, technology providers, research institutions and industry.
Unmanned and Autonomous Systems in Practice
Unmanned and autonomous systems are becoming increasingly important across defence, emergency preparedness, critical infrastructure and civilian operations.
In defence, these technologies support surveillance, reconnaissance, situational awareness, logistics and the transport of equipment and medical supplies. Their applications are also expanding within emergency services, infrastructure monitoring, public administration and private industry.
The conference will examine how these systems can be developed, adapted and employed effectively under the demanding conditions of the High North, with particular attention to operational reliability, communications, navigation, security and environmental challenges.
Three Key Conference Themes
OPERATIONAL INSIGHTS
Operational experience, emerging requirements and practical challenges associated with unmanned and autonomous systems in northern environments.
TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION
Emerging technologies, research, testing and solutions designed to improve operational capabilities in demanding conditions.
INDUSTRIAL COOPERATION
Connecting operational requirements with industrial expertise to encourage partnerships, technological development and future business opportunities.
Strengthening Industrial Capabilities
Norwegian companies possess considerable expertise in drone technology, autonomous systems and supporting technologies, supplying solutions to the Norwegian Armed Forces and public and private organisations in Norway and internationally.
Further progress depends on continued investment in industrial capacity, specialist expertise, research, education and workforce development.
Developing regional industrial capabilities is particularly important for meeting future operational and technological requirements in the High North.
By bringing together operational users, industry and research institutions, the conference aims to encourage knowledge exchange and cooperation that can contribute to future capability development.
Speakers & Participating Companies
The conference programme is under development, with speakers and industry participants being confirmed.
The programme will bring together perspectives from defence, industry, research institutions and the public sector, addressing operational requirements, technological developments and opportunities for future cooperation.
Confirmed speakers, participating companies and programme highlights will be announced progressively as the conference approaches.
Interested in Speaking?
HNDIC welcomes enquiries from organisations and individuals with relevant operational experience, technological expertise, research or industry perspectives who may wish to contribute to the conference programme.
Prospective speakers are invited to contact arne@hndic.com to discuss potential contributions.
Industry Exhibition
An industry exhibition will form part of the conference, providing companies with an opportunity to showcase technologies, products and capabilities relevant to unmanned and autonomous operations in the High North.
The exhibition will offer a platform for dialogue between technology providers, potential partners and representatives from defence, public authorities and other relevant sectors.
Interested in Exhibiting?
Companies wishing to present their technologies, products or solutions are encouraged to contact HNDIC to discuss exhibition opportunities and practical arrangements.
Exhibition enquiries: arne@hndic.com
Conference Dinner & Networking
The conference programme includes opportunities for professional networking, including a conference dinner on 16 February 2027 at 19:00.
The dinner provides an informal setting for participants to exchange knowledge, continue discussions and establish connections across defence, industry, research and the public sector.
Participation in the conference dinner is optional and requires a separate booking.
Guests who are not attending the conference are also welcome to register for the dinner, subject to availability.
Registration & Participation Options
To accommodate different schedules and interests, HNDIC offers flexible registration options.
Participants may attend the entire conference, select an individual conference day or register exclusively for lunch or dinner.
Conference Attendance
Full Conference | 16–17 February 2027
Attend both conference days, including the presentations, discussions and opportunities for professional networking.
Day 1 | Tuesday, 16 February 2027
12:00–17:00
Day 2 | Wednesday, 17 February 2027
08:00–13:00
Lunch & Dinner
Lunch and dinner are offered as separate booking options and are not included automatically in conference registration.
Lunch: Available as a separate booking through the conference registration page.
Conference Dinner: 16 February 2027 at 19:00, available as a separate booking.
Meals Only: Guests may register for lunch or dinner without attending either conference day.
All conference attendance and meal options can be selected through the same registration page.
Conference Information
Dates: 16–17 February 2027
Conference Hours:
Tuesday, 16 February: 12:00–17:00
Wednesday, 17 February: 08:00–13:00
Conference Dinner: Tuesday, 16 February at 19:00
Venue:
Thon Hotel Harstad
Sjøgata 11
9405 Harstad, Norway
Accommodation
Conference accommodation is available at Thon Hotel Harstad, conveniently located in the centre of Harstad and serving as the conference venue.
HNDIC has arranged special accommodation rates for conference participants. To benefit from these reduced rates, reservations must be made through the dedicated conference booking link below.
Please note that the special rates are only available when booking through the link above.
Enquiries, Speakers & Exhibition Opportunities
For general conference enquiries, proposals from prospective speakers or questions regarding industry exhibition opportunities, please contact:
Organised by:
HIGH NORTH DEFENCE INDUSTRY CLUSTER (HNDIC)