Why is Defense Innovation Getting Stuck in Sweden? – Panel at Almedalen

We are headed to Almedalsveckan on 22–26 June 2026. Are you? Join us for this panel discussion:

From Need to Reality: Why Is Defense Innovation Getting Stuck in Sweden?

Needs-driven innovation has become a mantra within the defense sector. But in practice, it risks becoming both narrow and slow. When needs are defined in advance, often by major players and large organizations with established ways of working and processes, there is a risk of overlooking the unexpected: disruptive solutions from small, agile, fast-moving companies.

At the same time, many innovative companies struggle to enter the defense sector. They do not know who to talk to, how procurement works, or how to connect with the major prime contractors. The pathways in are unclear.

• How do we create a defense innovation system that is both needs-driven and open to the unexpected?
• What do we mean by “needs-driven innovation” in a defense context?
• When does needs-based governance become a barrier to innovation?
• What is required for small companies to work with the defense sector truly?
• How can prime contractors and startups collaborate without getting stuck in processes?
• Who takes responsibility for the interface between the public sector, prime contractors, and startups?

Join this panel discussion featuring representatives from a prime (large enterprise), a startup, the defense sector, and defense innovation actors.

Participants:
Mats Wiksell, Head of Business Area Naval, Saab Naval
Sebastian Merlöv, CEO, Sweden Dynamics
Robert Limmergård, Secretary General, SOFF
Andreas Ziegenfeldt, Lieutenant Colonel, Swedish Armed Forces
Moderator: Daniel Persson, Head of Amyna, Ideon Science Park

Date & Time: 2026-06-25, 15:00–16:00
Type of Event: Debate / Panel Discussion
Language: Swedish
Location: Hamnplan, venue 200 – Skåne Innovation Arena
Organizer: Ideon Science Park, Amyna

View this event in the program for Almedalsveckan >>

Mats Wicksell has worked at Saab since 1998. He began his career as a software developer and soon moved into systems testing of Saab’s Airborne Early Warning (AEW) systems, as well as their integration into broader command and control systems. He has held international roles within Saab, with responsibility for complex systems integration in the Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) domain. He has also had overall responsibility for Saab’s AEW&C business, which includes the GlobalEye and Saab 2000 Erieye AEW&C platforms.

Before assuming his role as Managing Director of Saab’s Kockums business area, now known as Naval, Mats Wicksell served as Vice President and Head of the Combat Systems and C4I Solutions business unit at Saab AB.

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Sebastian Merlöv is the CEO and co-founder of Sweden Dynamics, a Swedish defence technology company developing AI-powered tactical drone systems for military, security, and critical infrastructure applications. With a background as both a serial entrepreneur and a reserve military officer, Merlöv combines operational defence experience with technology-driven innovation. Under his leadership, Sweden Dynamics focuses on rapidly developing modular, field-tested drone platforms designed for real-world operational environments, helping strengthen Europe’s sovereign defence capabilities.

Before founding Sweden Dynamics, Merlöv built and exited several technology businesses and served with the Swedish Armed Forces’ 32nd Intelligence Battalion. He is also an active voice in Sweden’s defence innovation ecosystem, advocating for greater support for agile defence startups and faster adoption of emerging technologies within the defence sector.

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Robert Limmergård is Secretary General of the Swedish Security and Defence Industry Association (SOFF). The association represents companies that provide solutions to protect and defend societies.

Robert also serves as a Board Member of ASD, the European trade association representing the aerospace, defence, security, and space industries. Previous positions includes among others Director for CSR and Public Affairs at GKN Aerospace Sweden; Senior Officer for Public-Private Partnership at the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) and First Secretary for Defence industrial policy at Ministry of Defence.

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Lieutenant Colonel Andreas Ziegenfeldt serves as Deputy Brigade Commander of the 7th Mechanised Brigade in the Swedish Armed Forces. With operational and command experience, he has held key appointments at tactical and strategic levels, including battalion command, force development and headquarters staff functions.

Lieutenant Colonel Andreas Ziegenfeldt has played a role in military transformation and experimentation, focusing on command and control, rapid capability development, mission command, and the integration of commercial technologies into military systems. He is currently engaged in pioneering brigade-level experimentation aimed at accelerating operational adaptation and strengthening interoperability within Nato.

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Daniel Persson is Head of Amyna at Ideon Science Park. With a background as an officer in the Swedish Armed Forces, Daniel has a strong foundation in operational leadership and decision-making under uncertainty. He later co-founded Min Doktor and served as CEO of the startup incubator Minc, experiences that strengthened his expertise in mission-driven innovation at the intersection of security, technology, and strategic leadership.