Varjo (Finland) – Strategic-Technological Analysis for European Defense Autonomy
Varjo is a Finnish technology company that has rapidly gained recognition for its advanced virtual and mixed reality (XR) headsets. Founded in 2016 by former Nokia and Microsoft engineers in Helsinki, Varjo has pushed the boundaries of immersive simulation by achieving “human-eye” resolution in its devices. Its XR systems are not consumer gadgets but enterprise-grade tools used to train fighter pilots, astronauts, and other professionals in highly demanding environments. Varjo’s flagship headsets deliver unprecedented visual fidelity and integrate seamlessly with cockpit controls and simulators, enabling realistic training scenarios that were previously impossible. As Europe strives for greater strategic autonomy in defense technology, Varjo stands out as a homegrown scale-up offering a critical dual-use capability: cutting-edge XR platforms for both military and industrial applications. This analysis explores how Varjo’s innovations in extended reality contribute to Europe’s defense readiness, NATO interoperability, and reduction of reliance on non-allied suppliers, all while maintaining European control over sensitive technology.