Defence industry strategy for a stronger Sweden
Published
The Government has adopted a new strategy for Sweden’s defence industry with the aim of creating an innovative and competitive defence sector with a high production capacity.
The geopolitical security situation continues to deteriorate. A strong defence industry is necessary for Europe to be able to take greater responsibility for its own security and defence. The defence industry plays a key role in the rearmament of Sweden and in providing support to Ukraine.
“With the Defence Industry Strategy we want to contribute to more innovation, increased production and better cooperation with the industry,” says Minister for Defence Pål Jonson.
The strategy sets out the Government’s concrete measures to strengthen the business sector’s ability to contribute to Sweden’s security.
In parallel with the Defence Industry Strategy, the Government is developing an industry strategy that deals with Swedish industry more broadly. These strategies complement each other and collectively contribute to a more resilient and secure Sweden.
“By making substantial investments in research, development and advanced production techniques, not only does the defence industry contribute to defending Sweden but also to our standing as a high-tech industrial nation. This makes Sweden attractive as a cooperation partner and helps to strengthen our security relations within the EU and NATO as well as with other countries,” says Jonson.
The Defence Industry Strategy is based on the National Security Strategy and the defence policy direction set out in the Total Defence 2025–2030 Bill.
The strategy in brief
Innovation
- Establish a cross-agency function for defence innovation.
- Strengthen the Swedish Armed Forces’ materiel development programme.
- Develop procurement methods that promote innovation.
- Facilitate testing and demonstration of prototypes.
- Develop the Swedish Defence Research Agency’s role of promoting defence innovation.
- Strengthen cooperation and identify synergies between civil and military research and innovation.
- Establish a space programme for total defence.
- Ensure Swedish companies are able to benefit from international research and innovation programmes.
- Secure the skills supply within the defence industry.
- Improve protection of military technology.
Production
- Focus on long-term, large-scale orders from defence companies and place joint orders with partner countries when possible.
- Make central government investments to increase production capacity when necessary.
- Increase the production of ammunition.
- Introduce a special programme for the modernisation of the defence industry’s manufacturing methods.
- Secure access to key materials and components.
- Improve defence companies’ access to capital.
- Facilitate conditions for small and medium-sized enterprises.
- Review rules and permit processes.
- Develop partnerships within materiel categories that the Government has identified as strategic: combat aircraft, underwater, command and control and cartridge ammunition.
Cooperation
- Inform the market about military requirements.
- Develop points of contact between the defence industry and government agencies.
- Introduce a forum for strategic dialogue between central government and defence companies.
- Actively promote business ethics and trust.
- Strengthen relations with key partner countries.
- Continue to develop support to Ukraine.
- Utilise opportunities for international cooperation.
- Strengthen the Swedish defence sector by increasing its access to other markets through robust central government support for exports.
Press contact
Press Secretary to Minister for Defence Pål Jonson
Phone (switchboard) +46 8 405 10 00
Mobile +46 76 126 69 22
email to Johan Hjelmstrand
Acting Press Secretary to Minister for Defence Pål Jonson
Phone (switchboard) +46 8 405 10 00
Mobile +46 76 140 43 17
email to Adam Schelin
