Delivering Mission-Critical Defence Solutions at DSEI
Panasonic showcased its latest military-grade solutions at this year’s edition of the biennial DSEI event, supporting the UK’s Strategic Defence Review by enabling armed forces to stay connected, informed, and ready in challenging environments.
Written by Charlotte Langridge, Public Sector Business Manager for Defence and Police, Panasonic TOUGHBOOK UK & Ireland.
Defence COTS+ Solutions on Show
Panasonic showcased its flexible and cost-effective COTS+ solutions at DSEI 2025. These combine proven commercial technology with customised defence-focused modifications for rapid deployments, without compromising functionality or security. They support operational agility whilst helping teams maintain decision dominance in dynamic and high-pressure defence environments.
The TOUGHBOOK 40 TACTICAL is a prime example of a COTS+ solution that significantly enhances military deployments, compared to standard commercial-off-the-shelf devices. Engineered alongside long-standing Panasonic partner, roda computer GmbH, it delivers superior in-vehicle connectivity and integration via a military module, compatible with standard military connectors.
This proved especially popular at DSEI, with delegates looking for robust in-vehicle solutions. The TACTICAL features a shock-proof mount, providing operational flexibility in wheeled or tracked military vehicles. This enables users to continuously connect to command and control networks.
For the first time, Panasonic TOUGHBOOK was featured in DSEI’s Tech Zone. This enabled it to directly market its COTS+ solutions to the decision-makers tasked with responding to the SDR’s call for developing technologies that will enhance operational effectiveness and strategic deployment.
Seamless Command and Control
TOUGHBOOK command and control solutions combine military-grade hardware, software, and security protection. As part of its series of live demonstrations, Panasonic showcased how these solutions could seamlessly integrate drone control with ground stations, improving operational feedback.
Other command and control solutions on show included the TOUGHBOOK G2 MIL Adaptor. It provides a secure connection to military equipment while preserving the device’s IP rating, even when switching side-port cables. It supports integration with systems like Nett Warrior and simplifies mounting and connectivity using standard COTS+ components.
Shaping Defence Mobility at the Edge
On the second night of DSEI, Panasonic, together with Red Hat, hosted an intimate networking dinner for its defence partners and end user customers. This featured an overview of what rugged solutions could look like in the future, including wearable & implantable devices, and tactical connectivity solutions, as mission-critical devices evolve beyond traditional devices and into embedded technologies.
It also explored how AI-assisted decision making, combined with advanced voice recognition technologies, could enable real-time data access and task execution in the future. For defence users, this has the potential to enhance productivity, as AI adds additional value as an operational assistant in the field.
Enhanced Security and Compliance with Red Hat
Red Hat’s Mustafa Musaji overviewed how edge computing is being transformed by combining rugged devices with secure Linux-based workflows. Specifically, he looked at:
- The move away from the strategic core to a decentralised edge in defence data processing.
- How Red Hat’s unified platform enables defence users to seamlessly and securely deploy software and commands from the Core to the Edge.
- How TOUGHBOOK devices facilitate secure AI automation at the edge.
Amidst recent high-profile cybersecurity incidents, operational resilience and continuity is top-of-mind for the defence and security sector. The defence-level security offered by TOUGHBOOK – the only rugged device certified for Red Hat Enterprise Linux – delivers a compelling COTS+ solution for rapid decision-making, resilient operations, and seamless interoperability in the field.
Defining Future Defence Solutions
The event featured a panel on the future of defence mobility, chaired by Panasonic’s Chris Turner featuring Red Hat’s Mustafa; our Director for TOUGHBOOK EU, Max Takeda; and General Manager of Engineering for Product & Solutions, Jon Tucker.
During the panel, participants were polled in real-time, to gauge what they think are the most pressing future priorities for defence-focused solutions. This included conversations around the most important mission-critical functionality in rugged devices on the battlefield; how to improve existing frontline defence technology, and the current barriers to deployment.
We were also lucky to enough to have ex-defence personnel in the room to provide real-world operational feedback. For devices offering voice recognition in aircraft cockpits for example, they highlighted the criticality of pairing it with noise-cancelling technologies that obscure the sound of rotors.
Such invaluable insights were shared with product and engineering teams in the UK and Japan. It’s another example of how Panasonic actively engages its partners and customers to understand exactly what they need from their operational defence solutions.
Unbreakable Industry Partnerships
DSEI once again emphasised the importance of Panasonic’s strategic partnerships in delivering multi-faceted, sophisticated solutions for defence deployments.
In addition to our valued partnerships with Red Hat and roda computer GmbH, it was an ideal place for Panasonic to re-connect with the likes of Gamber Johnson, and HAVIS (rugged vehicle docks and integration solutions), Metro Communications (secure headsets), and Viasat (encryption solutions).
This not only allowed us to bring partners up-to-speed on our latest defence offerings, but it provided a one-stop-shop for end users that required the expertise of multiple solutions providers.
Ultimately, DSEI was the perfect platform for Panasonic TOUGHBOOK to unveil how customised defence solutions address the real-world demands of modern defence operations.
Find out more about Panasonic’s military-grade COTS+ solutions for defence.
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