With increased investments in total defense and a rapidly evolving threat landscape, Sweden has all the conditions necessary to strengthen its defense capabilities. But to do so, we need to accelerate innovation in the defense and security sectors.
“There is a lot of talk,” says Johan Vaernholt, Head of Business Development at Ideon Science Park and former career officer. But the action is not following. Defense innovation in Sweden is still moving too slowly. And that is not just a technical issue – it is a strategic vulnerability.
Threats are evolving faster than our systems
Cyberattacks, AI-driven systems, drone technology, and information warfare. The conflicts of the future are already here.
Other countries are experimenting, collaborating, and scaling technology while we in Sweden remain stuck in the investigation and planning phase,” says Vaernholt. We need operational structures, test environments, and long-term partnerships where technology can be validated, scaled, and applied.”
Sweden does not need more vision documents.
What we need is defense innovation at startup speed – not government speed.
That is one reason why Johan is among the initiators behind a new platform for defense innovation at Ideon Science Park.
NATO opens new doors – and raises expectations
Our NATO membership comes with expectations – that Sweden contributes, is technically compatible, and delivers innovation. But it also brings opportunities: for collaboration, exports, investments, and shared resources.
These opportunities must be made accessible not only to traditional defense contractors but also to companies operating in other sectors.
Swedish businesses – large and small – have a chance to grow into a new role as suppliers and developers of dual-use technologies. But doing so requires building bridges between the private sector, academia, and the defense community.
There are ideas – but no clear path forward
Sweden leads the world in fields such as sensor technology, AI, cybersecurity, and communication. We have startups ready to deliver advanced imaging, cyber protection solutions, and AI-driven decision-support systems.
But too few of these ideas ever reach testbeds, procurement processes, or the defense administration,” says Vaernholt. There is a lack of neutral platforms where the Armed Forces and defense industry can meet with startups and researchers – where true innovation meets real needs, and development is actually allowed to happen.”
Ideon Science Park has spent the past two years developing a framework and launching initiatives to support this goal – from drone testbeds to collaboration on semiconductors and dual-use solutions.
Ideon’s role is to serve as a connector between academia, SMEs, large industry, and public stakeholders – to create long-term collaborations, not just short-term projects.
Swedish companies want to contribute, but are not given space
Tech-driven companies in Sweden want to help,” says Vaernholt. But they’re often met with complex regulations, slow procurement processes, or unclear entry points.”
Many startups say the same thing:
We have solutions – but we don’t know how to reach the right people.”
At the same time, defense companies often have challenges that could be solved by exactly the skills and technologies these smaller actors offer.
What is missing is a neutral arena for matchmaking, collaboration, and open dialogue.
What needs to happen now?
Sweden needs a national framework for defense innovation – one that enables:
- Testbeds and rapid pilots to validate technologies
- Accelerator programs to support early-stage, high-potential solutions
- Structured public investments with staying power and impact
- Open collaboration between the innovation ecosystem, defense authorities, and industry
You are needed. Join us at Försvarsdagen
Defense innovation cannot wait. We need to act now to ensure Swedish technology is put to good use – both for our security and as a contribution to international cooperation.
On April 29, Day of Defense, Försvarsdagen will take place at Ideon Science Park. It will gather stakeholders from industry, academia, defense, government, and the innovation ecosystem—people who want to and can spur defense innovation.
Are you someone who wants to contribute, influence, or understand how your skills can make a difference?
Then this is where you should be.
Photo: Unsplash, Specna Arms
