Civil innovations will strengthen Sweden's defense capabilities

Within the civil sector, the development of ground-breaking technology is driven in areas such as AI, quantum technology and autonomous systems. Through a programme for civil-military innovation, we want to find methods and ways of working to utilize civilian-developed technology for increased military capability.

The first the calls for proposals within the program are now published. These calls for proposals are aimed at a wide range of different companies and aim to:

• Strengthen collaboration between civil and defense sector consortia to help address defence-related issues.
• Create a national cluster of organizations with networks, resources and competences to achieve an effective interaction between civilian and defense-oriented innovation environments as well as the defense and its authorities.
• Accelerate the development of dual-use technologies developed by startups and SMEs.

- There are great opportunities to take advantage of civil-military synergies that strengthen our defense capability and, in the long term, international competitiveness. We can do this, among other things, by finding military uses for ground-breaking technology developed for the civilian sector. The program is also important for Swedish participation in the advanced innovation work that is currently being developed within NATO, says Darja Isaksson, director general of Vinnova.

Defense innovation contributes to a strategic ability to deal with defense-related problems faster and more efficiently than opponents with the help of new technology. Available civil and military technology needs to be developed to translate knowledge into new equipment and new solutions.

- The Swedish defense is developing and the Armed Forces must grow with both more employees, modern equipment and new and developed capabilities. The global situation requires that we increase the military capability here and now and at the same time strengthen capability development in the longer term. We are looking forward to a collective innovative power for the defense of Sweden, says Major General Johan Pekkari, Chief of Strategy of the Armed Forces.

The Innovation Program for Civil-Military Synergies is an assignment from the Government to finance innovation, initially with SEK 60 million in 2024.

Through the program, Sweden's defense capabilities and security will be strengthened in peace, crisis and war. At the same time, business opportunities and competitiveness are created for Swedish companies. By bringing together the defense complex with universities, authorities and industry, advantages are created that contribute to Sweden's future competitiveness in both the civilian sector and defense capability.