This article is part of a summer series exploring the future of defense innovation in Sweden. Next up: Why do We need defense?
Fixing the Gaps: What is Missing in Sweden’s Defense Innovation Ecosystem
Sweden has the talent, the tech, and the strategic will to lead in defense innovation. We are investing more than ever, aligning with NATO and the EU, and advancing in AI, cybersecurity, quantum and dual-use technologies.
But we are also facing serious obstacles.
Startups struggle to break into the system. Procurement is slow. Test environments are scarce. The innovative landscape is fragmented – and too much potential is left untapped.
If we want to turn innovation into real capability, we need to remedy the system that surrounds it.
That is where AMYNA comes in – a defense innovation platform built to remove friction, open doors, and accelerate solutions where they matter most.
Let us delve into Sweden’s strengths and weaknesses when it comes to defense innovation:
Sweden’s Strong Points
Deep Tech Talent & R&D Excellence
We punch well above our weight in fields like AI, telecom, quantum, advanced materials and systems engineering. Our universities and institutes produce world-class research. Our engineers are among the best trained in Europe. A few examples:
- The Wallenberg Centre for Quantum Technology (WACQT), coordinated by Chalmers University of Technology, is a 12-year, SEK 1 billion initiative aiming to position Sweden at the forefront of quantum computing, communication, and sensing (started in 2024).
- The Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program (WASP) is Sweden’s largest individual research program, with SEK 6.2 billion in funding.
- KTH Royal Institute of Technology ranks 39th globally in engineering and 61st in computer sciences, making it Sweden’s top institution in these fields
A Globally Competitive Defense Industry
Sweden is home to leading defense companies like Saab, Ericsson, and Bofors, known for their cutting-edge technologies in aerospace, telecommunications, and weaponry. Our defense exports per capita are among the highest globally.
An Adaptable in Policy
We are relatively quick to adapt when the need arises. Increasing defense spending to integrated with NATO and stronger ties with EU show our ability to re-align policy.
A potential for Dual-Use Innovation
Our innovation landscape is rich with technologies that have or can have both civilian and military applications, potential dual use innovations. AI, cybersecurity, and drone technology developed for commercial use can be adapted for defense purposes, enhancing operational capabilities. However, many of our best innovations were not initially designed for defense, but can be adjusted with the right support.
Collaboration between the Civil and the Military
Our model of Total Defense (Totalförsvaret) integrates civilian and military efforts. This approach may ensure a cohesive response to national security challenges. It can promote joint innovation initiatives.
Discussions in Almedalen 2025 proved of a great will to collaborate.
A trust infrastructure is an asset when building innovation across sectors.
Aligned with the European Union
Another strength is that our efforts within defense innovation are closely tied to EU initiatives:
- European Defence Fund (EDF): Aimed at fostering collaborative defense research and development among member states.
- Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO): Facilitates deeper defense cooperation, allowing Sweden to participate in joint projects and share resources.
- European Defence Innovation Scheme (EUDIS): Supports innovative defense solutions, encouraging startups and SMEs to contribute to defense capabilities.
These collaborations can ensure interoperability with other European allies.
The Shortcomings
Too little innovation. However, we need to innovate more within defense. For example, some of our defense equipment needs upgrading to meet standards of today. Moving forward, to strengthen our defense framework we must spur on defense innovation.
This means encouraging research and development in emerging technologies and supporting startups in working the defense market. Startups need early-stage support tailored to defense and dual-use, which is why the AMYNA accelerator is in the making. Accelerators have been lacking.
Bureaucratic procurement. One challenge Sweden has is that we struggle with complex procurement procedures. These can be an obstacle to acquiring necessary technologies and equipment rapidly.
We need to work for a simpler procurement process and ways to collaborate to allow for quicker integration of new solutions.
Barriers to entry. Another challenge is that it is hard for startups and other small enterprises to enter the defense sector. This limits diversity and innovation potential within the industry.
Lack of investors. Sweden needs more defense venture capitalists.
Too little collaboration between different actors. Diverse stakeholders need to collaborate. Among others, we promote partnerships between the government, large defense contractors, SMEs, startups as well as academic institutions.
A wide range of expertise and perspectives is key when we want to innovate within defense. The defense innovation system is still fragmented, which is why we work for stronger collaboration between incubators, science parks and other research hubs.
Lack of test environments. Largely, testbeds and proving grounds are still missing as well. Real-world and secure spaces where innovators can test, iterate and scale will be required to a much larger extent.
This is Where AMYNA Comes In
The Defense Platform for Innovation AMYNA – Powered by Ideon Science Park, is in place to address these issues.
We will help:
- Connect the dots between academia, startups, industry, and defense needs
- Accelerate dual-use innovation. Ingredients are funding, coaching, access to real missions as well as arenas for interaction.
- Simulate the creation of testbeds
- Open up the ecosystem to new players, especially SMEs, young engineers, and women
AMYNA is a new platform for defense innovation operating across the Nordics. We focus on experimentation, acceleration, collaboration, and capability-building. Our mission is to unlock Sweden’s full potential in building a secure, resilient future.
Stay tuned this summer as we dig deeper into topics like dual-use tech, cyber innovation, and why Sweden needs its own defense accelerator.
