Swedish Armed Forces receive new mandate to strengthen Swedish innovation
The government has tasked the Swedish Armed Forces with establishing a new function for defense innovation. The purpose is to enable Sweden to more quickly develop and utilize new technology to strengthen the country's defense capabilities. This initiative is part of the government's work to adapt the Swedish defense to a changed security situation in the surrounding region.
The new function will serve as a bridge between the Swedish Armed Forces, the business sector, and the research community. By collaborating more effectively with private companies and universities, the agency hopes to benefit from rapid technological development, particularly in areas such as digitalization, drone technology, and artificial intelligence.
An important part of the mandate is to create processes that allow new ideas to be quickly tested and implemented in practical operations. The Swedish Armed Forces will now investigate how the organization can best receive and evaluate technical solutions from smaller companies and tech startups that have previously found it difficult to enter the defense sector.
The initiative is welcomed by many experts who argue that technological innovation is crucial for maintaining a modern defense. By being more flexible and open to cooperation with civilian actors, Sweden can better meet future threats and strengthen its position within NATO.
Work on building the new innovation function begins immediately. The Swedish Armed Forces will continuously report to the government on the progress of the work and the results achieved over the coming years.