The strategy follows a trend where European countries are seeking to take improve their relationship with industry.

The Swedish Ministry of Defence (MoD) unveiled its Defence Industry Strategy to increase innovation and production in Sweden, the authority announced on 12 June.  

It aims to create “an innovative and competitive defence sector with a high production capacity”, as part of wider European and NATO efforts to deter through enhanced military and industrial readiness. 

“Combat aircraft, underwater, command and control, and cartridge ammunition” are the main strategic areas where the MoD is seeking to partner closer with industry, the strategy states. 

On innovation, the strategy includes creating a cross-agency function as well as facilitating prototype testing and demonstration, establishing a space programme for “total defence”, and ensuring Sweden’s access to international programmes. 

Large-scale orders will become central to future acquisitions, with the MoD seeking to place long-term orders and place joint orders where possible. It will also look to introduce a programme to modernise the “defence industry’s manufacturing methods”.  

DSEI Gateway reached out to Sweden’s MoD to ask what platforms they might acquire in large numbers, and what the cross-agency function for innovation will involve, although, they had not responded at the time of publication. 

Overall, these measures make “Sweden attractive as a cooperation partner and helps to strengthen our security relations within the EU and NATO as well as with other countries”, Sweden's Minister of Defence Pål Jonson concluded. 

Better support for domestic suppliers 

The strategy emphasises removing barriers for defence manufacturers, such as improving access to finance, reviewing regulations, and using central government investments to support them where needed. 

It says it will “inform the market about military requirements” and better publicise the points of contact between defence and industry. 

Furthermore, the press release states that the MoD will “introduce a forum for strategic dialogue between central government and defence companies” and seek to increase their access to other markets with export support. 

DSEI Gateway News is part of DSEI UK and the broader Clarion Defence portfolio. 
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