This article is part of a summer series exploring the future of defense innovation in Sweden. Next up: AMYNA: Why Does Sweden Need Defense Accelerators
At its most fundamental level, defense is about protecting what we value. Our people, our democracy, our freedom, and our way of life. Defense is not just about soldiers or weapons. It is about creating the conditions for peace, stability, and resilience in a complex world.
To Safeguard Our Sovereignty and Freedom
Sweden is an open, democratic society. We value free speech, human rights, and rule of law. These values are not guaranteed. They must be protected.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine reminded us that military aggression is not a thing of the past. Small nations, even peaceful ones, need credible defense to deter threats and assert their sovereignty.
The World Has Changed
We live in an era of different sorts of hybrid threats such as cyberattacks, disinformation, and sabotage.
We are also in the midst of technological arms races, when it comes to AI, drones, quantum, and space. The world is again geopolitically very unstable, but we also see climate-related conflicts, over resources, migration, infrastructure.
A modern defense of today includes being ready for multi-dimensional, fast-changing risks, not ‘just’ invasions.
To Defend the Foundations of Democracy
A credible defense does more than prevent military incursions. It upholds the principles that define open societies. In a world of shrinking democratic space, rising authoritarianism, systemic repression, and information warfare, defense is a safeguard for the rule of law, individual freedoms, and democratic institutions.
Without security, there is no space for civil liberties to flourish. Rule of law, fair elections, independent media, gender equality, and freedom of expression all depend on the stability that a resilient defense posture provides.
When these values are targeted, whether through armed aggression or covert subversion, it is the responsibility of democratic states to respond not only with diplomacy and sanctions, but with preparedness and deterrence.
Sweden’s defense, both military and civilian, plays a central role in ensuring that democratic governance is not eroded from within or undermined from abroad.
Protecting democracy is not an abstract ideal, it is a daily commitment, enabled by a security architecture that values people, transparency, and accountability.
To Contribute to Collective Security
As a member of NATO and the EU, Sweden is part of a wider community of nations that has committed to mutual defense and democratic values. Defense is more than national; it is regional as well as global.
Thus, capabilities have to be interoperable, and readiness shared. Defense allows us to be a contributor, not just a beneficiary, in global security.
To Build Societal Resilience
Defense is also more than military. With Sweden’s Totalförsvaret (Total Defense) it includes both civilian and military preparedness. This includes protecting hospitals, electricity, communication as well as securing supply chains and infrastructure.
It also means that citizens must be trained for crisis response. People and authorities have to prepare to defend against psychological and digital warfare.
To Protect the Future
Defense is often framed as a reaction to threats. But in today’s world, we also need to anticipate, innovate and adapt.
This is where defense innovation comes in.
Technology, science, and collaboration build tools that prevent conflict, save lives, and strengthen democracy.
Stay tuned this summer as we dig deeper into topics like dual-use tech, cyber innovation, and why Sweden needs its own defense accelerator.
Previous articles in the series:
Barriers, Bottlenecks, and Bold Moves – This Is Why We Are Building AMYNA
