KESLA Defence and Avant Power Join Forces to Develop Energy Logistics Capability for Defence Operations

KESLA Defence and Avant Power have signed a Letter of Intent to begin the development of a new generation of mobile energy solutions for defence applications. The objective of the cooperation is to enable the storage, transportation, protection, distribution, and use of electrical energy in situations where access to the power grid is unavailable.

Energy Logistics as a New Military Capability

The electrification of defence systems is advancing rapidly. Military systems require increasing amounts of electrical energy especially in demanding field conditions. Recent conflicts have demonstrated that military capability is becoming increasingly dependent on the availability of energy.

In addition to fuel logistics, future military forces will increasingly require electrical energy logistics. KESLA Defence and Avant Power believe that access to electrical energy in field conditions is becoming one of the key enablers of modern military capability.

The goal of the newly launched cooperation is to develop a comprehensive solution that enables defence organisations to deliver energy from logistics hubs all the way to operational units, regardless of terrain, infrastructure, or operating environment. This represents a new energy logistics concept in which energy can be stored, transported, protected, charged, and delivered to operational forces entirely off-grid. The solution supports the electrification of defence systems as well as the growing use of unmanned systems.

Mobile and Ballistically Protected Energy Solutions

At the core of the cooperation is Avant Power’s OptiTemp Cube TER47 solution, designed and manufactured in Finland. The system serves as a mobile energy storage unit and a foundation for field charging operations. It can be deployed as a standalone energy unit or combined into larger energy systems to support field camps, command posts, and temporary operating bases.

Avant Power’s battery solution is well suited to the demanding requirements of defence environments. The mobile battery units can be equipped with ballistic protection, enabling the safe storage, transportation, and use of energy even in contested operational environments.

The energy systems can be recharged from a variety of power sources depending on the operational situation, including the electrical grid, generators, vehicle-based power sources, and renewable energy systems. This enables flexible charging options even in continuously evolving operational conditions.

KESLA Defence Provides the Energy Logistics Capability

KESLA Defence contributes extensive expertise in off-road mobility and logistics solutions designed for demanding field conditions. The KESLA Kerberos multipurpose trailer can transport up to eight OptiTemp Cube TER47 mobile energy storage units at a time and, when coupled with a tractor, can also recharge battery units in the field.

The cooperation also supports the use of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) by enabling battery charging in field conditions without additional charging infrastructure. Furthermore, the energy solutions can be utilized for field maintenance, sustainment operations, and a variety of repair and service tasks.

A Complete Energy Logistics Solution

The joint objective of KESLA Defence and Avant Power is to create a comprehensive energy logistics concept for the defence sector covering the entire energy lifecycle: energy storage, energy reserve management, transportation of battery units by road, air, and off-road routes, field charging, energy distribution to end users, as well as maintenance and lifecycle support services.

The aim is to provide defence and security organisations with a new operational model that reduces dependence on traditional energy supply chains and enables the effective use of electrified systems outside the electrical grid. In doing so, the solution also enhances societal resilience in times of crisis.

Comment by Mr. Tapio Pirinen, Director, KESLA Defence:

“The electrification of defence is advancing rapidly. The operational capability of future armed forces will increasingly depend on their ability to deliver electrical energy wherever it is needed. We believe that electrical energy logistics is emerging as a new military capability. Together, we are developing a solution that enables energy to be stored, transported, protected, and distributed to operational forces entirely off-grid."

Comment by Mr. Mikko Kettunen, Business Development Director, Avant Power:

"We have developed our battery technology over the long term and built the expertise required to deliver solutions for the demanding needs of the defence sector. We do not just assemble products; we also manufacture battery modules ourselves. The Cube TER47 is an example of this capability: a reliable and mobile energy solution for operating environments where reliability, safety, and usability are essential."

More Information

Tapio Pirinen
Kesla Plc / Director, KESLA Defence
tel. +358 40 583 8089
tapio.pirinen@kesla.com

Mikko Kettunen
Avant Power Ltd / Business Development Director
tel. +358 50 526 7027
mikko.kettunen@avanttecno.com

Picture 1. In the picture from left to right: Mikko Kettunen (Avant Power Ltd) and Tapio Pirinen (Kesla Plc / KESLA Defence).

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