Last week, Defense Minister Pål Jonson (M) gathered with representatives from industry and authorities to discuss the government's upcoming defense industry strategy. The seminar, the first of two this fall, continued discussions on how collaboration between the state and the defense industry can be developed, according to a press release from the Ministry of Defense.

– The actors in the defense market, both large and small, need clear direction from the government on both how defense procurement should proceed and how the government wants to strengthen the companies' conditions to develop and become internationally competitive and security-politically relevant, says Robert Limmergård, Secretary General of the Security and Defense Companies, to Defense Sector News.

The seminar addressed two parallel strategies: one to replace the old material supply principles from 2009, setting guidelines for procurement and supply security, and an overarching strategy to strengthen Sweden's ability to meet future defense needs, including cooperation with international allies. The discussions also covered how production capacity within the defense industry can be strengthened and how Sweden can best relate to the EU's initiatives to increase competitiveness in the European defense industry.

In addition to representatives from authorities and other organizations, six companies participated, four of which were SMEs. One reason for this is that the strategy's direction is much about getting companies to grow.

One of the larger companies was MW Group.

– It is very positive that the defense minister and the department invite discussions to set a Swedish defense industry strategy, says Mikael Karlsson, the company's founder and CEO to FSN, and continues:

– It is with joint efforts that Sweden's defense capability will be strengthened and our contribution to the alliance maximized, and for that, we all need to roll up our sleeves and work in unison. I particularly appreciate that the conversation is conducted with openness and a wide range of perspectives from politics, authorities, companies, and our industry organization. I look forward to contributing to the continued work, he concludes.