The Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia has accepted the software-defined radio based Bittium Tactical Wireless IP Network™ (TAC WIN) system and Bittium Tough SDR Vehicular™ radio as tactical communications solutions for the armament of the Croatian Armed Forces. The acceptance follows an implementation phase of few years of the products by the Croatian Navy. The implementation phase was carried out in cooperation with Bittium’s Croatian partner IntellByte INFO, a supplier of IT solutions that acts as the integrator of the Croatian Navy’s tactical communications system entity as well as the contracting party with the Navy. The orders related to this cooperation, received during the implementation phase as well as the ones expected in the future, do not have significant impact on Bittium’s financial guidance for the year 2024, nor in achieving its long-term targets.

During the implementation phase, part of the Croatian Navy’s backbone network for communications was built with the modular and broadband TAC WIN system and Tough SDR Vehicular radios were used to connect the Navy’s vessels as part of the survivable tactical backbone network.

Based on the successful implementation, the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia has accepted Bittium’s TAC WIN system and Tough SDR Vehicular radios for the armament of the Croatian Armed Forces. In addition to the Navy, the products can be offered also to other branches of the Croatian Armed Forces. The implementation of the tactical communications network for the Croatian Armed Forces will take place gradually and the Armed Forces will issue possible separate purchase orders for Bittium’s products and solutions as the implementation progresses.

“The successful implementation of the TAC WIN system and Tough SDR Vehicular radios by the Navy and acceptance for the armament of the Croatian Armed Forces is an excellent demonstration of our products’ and systems’ performance and applicability for different use cases. The modular software-defined radio-based TAC WIN system works seamlessly with other systems in use. We are proud to offer our products and systems to all the branches of the Croatian Armed Forces together with our local partner IntellByte INFO. Together we can take the Croatian Armed Forces’ tactical communications into a new era,” says Tommi Kangas, Senior Vice President of Bittium’s Defense & Security business segment.

“Situational awareness, fast movement, and the ability to make quick decisions are the key elements of a modern warfare doctrine. In order to achieve these goals, the modernization of tactical communications is set as a development imperative for the Croatian Armed Forces. By implementing Bittium’s solutions we significantly raised performance and brought a new and advanced work experience to the Croatian Armed Forces. This was a visible ICT technological leap, both for us who implemented Bittium solutions, and for the Croatian Armed Forces who gained the possibility of using broadband technologies locally, but also globally by implementing intercommunication services that enable communication between military coalition troops,” says Jasmin Hodzic, IntellByte INFO’s CTO.

Bittium Tactical Wireless IP Network™

Bittium Tactical Wireless IP Network (TAC WIN) is a software-defined radio (SDR) based wireless broadband network system intended for military and public safety use. With the system, MANET (mobile ad hoc network), link, and connection networks can be formed into one logical IP network quickly, no matter what the location is. Bittium TAC WIN is compatible with existing fixed and wireless network infrastructures. The core of the system is a tactical router that enables users to freely form both wired and wireless broadband data transfer IP connections. The tactical router also enables connections to different types of terminals and other communication systems in order to connect them into a single communication network. In addition to the router, the system comprises three types of radio heads, and each radio head covers its own frequency band area and can be used for flexible formation of optimized network topologies for different communication needs. All the products of the system are designed for harsh conditions, and thanks to the system’s automated functions, the implementation of the system can be done quickly. Due to the software-based functionality of the Bittium TAC WIN system, it can be easily updated with additional performance, which allows it to be developed and maintained cost-efficiently throughout the whole lifespan of the system.

Bittium Tough SDR™ product family

Bittium Tough SDR product family of tactical radios consists of Bittium Tough SDR Handheld™, tactical handheld radio for individual soldiers, and Bittium Tough SDR Vehicular™, tactical radio for vehicle installations. The Tough SDR radios help to produce and share real time situational awareness to all levels of the organization. This improves the performance and the effectiveness of the tactical troops, and leading the troops is easier based on the up-to-date situational awareness and more reliable connections. The uniquely wide range of frequency bands in the radios improves combat survivability. Using several waveforms, even simultaneously, improves compatibility and enables operations on different levels and missions. The radios are compatible with the NATO standardized ESSOR High Data Rate Waveform that enables tactical communications between troops from different nations. Together with the software-defined radio based Bittium Tactical Wireless IP Network™ (TAC WIN) system, used for forming a broadband mobile IP backbone network, it is possible to bring broadband data and voice to all mobile troops across the battlefield.