During the Navy Tech & Seabed Defence conference, the Director General of the Swedish Defence Research Agency (Totalförsvarets forskningsinstitut, FOI), Jens Mattsson, emphasised the importance of innovation, collaboration, and knowledge in the defence sector. With increased military build-up and growing interest from startups, collaboration between the sector and government becomes crucial to transform innovation into practical defence capital.

At the Navy Tech & Seabed Defence conference, representatives from the naval and defence sectors gathered to discuss technology and naval defence, while also looking forward to the next challenge. Jens Mattsson, Director General of FOI, was one of the speakers and delivered the presentation From the Baltic to the Battlespace: Sweden’s research-driven approach to naval defence innovation. The presentation revolved around a central point: “knowledge is power.”

In his role as Director General of FOI, he plays a crucial role in shaping the technical development of the Swedish defence sector, both today and in the future.

When NDS meets Mattsson, he is in the middle of a conversation with an industry colleague. Part of today's task, besides speaking, is also to gather new perspectives from other actors. On his way to the interview table, he curiously stops at an exhibition booth and chats with the representatives, also taking away a stress ball.

The military build-up following 24 February 2022 has contributed to a general increase in startups and newly established companies within the defence sector. One of the biggest challenges for these companies is connecting with other parts of the sector, which is dominated by established players and many traditional contact points.

– This is fundamentally a team sport. It is much about how we collaborate within the defence sector, primarily between the Swedish Armed Forces (Försvarsmakten), the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV), and us. But to succeed, everyone must take responsibility and contribute. We are currently seeing a very high level of interest, both from established companies that have not previously worked with defence and security issues, and from new actors, often startups, says Jens Mattsson.

He views the growth of new companies positively and highlights innovation as a particularly important area. Therefore, FOI has appointed an innovation director to develop contacts with new market actors.

– An important task for the team is to manage and develop contacts with companies, especially startups and smaller firms. At the same time, our traditional collaborations with established actors continue. The demands for new technology have increased significantly, as has the need for increased production capacity and new solutions. This means that collaboration now occurs at an even faster pace than before, where the innovation director and the team play a central role.

Regarding collaboration with companies and industries on future solutions, Mattsson points out that the state is often the only potential market, especially when it comes to defence materiel.

– Many companies may therefore find the system difficult to access, and interaction must be based on teamwork. The closer you get to the end-user, the more important it is that development occurs in step with the Swedish Armed Forces and FMV. Ultimately, it does not matter how good an idea is if the company cannot sell to the Swedish Armed Forces or FMV, as there is simply no alternative market.

According to Mattsson, one of the biggest challenges is helping new companies understand regulations and mechanisms regarding military materiel and dual-use products, as well as where the boundaries lie in collaboration.

– There is no general model that fits all; each case must be assessed individually. If a solution is mature enough, it can go directly into the Swedish Armed Forces' needs processes. If it is earlier in the development phase, we are happy to contribute expertise when and where we can. In this way, we support the companies while contributing to our main mission: to strengthen Sweden's defence. But there is no “one size fits all” solution.

Mattsson also mentions lessons from Ukraine, where small and relatively inexpensive systems have proven to have a significant impact. Video footage has shown how amphibious units, often with autonomous systems, have been able to destroy Russian ships.

– If we invest in large and impressive platforms, how are we really going to protect them?

He continues:

– Autonomous systems will not become worse – on the contrary, they are becoming increasingly advanced. This also requires new innovation that can counter these systems.

When asked if technology risks outpacing doctrine and strategy, he replies:

– Yes, I absolutely believe so. We are currently seeing a clear technological shift, not least in autonomy and drone usage. At the same time, development is still limited by regulations on how we can exercise and test drone systems, despite us soon entering the fifth year of the full-scale war in Ukraine.

Mattsson argues that this illustrates a well-known pattern: when technology develops rapidly, tactics, processes, and regulations risk falling behind. It is not uncommon for technology to outpace, and for society to subsequently try to regulate or correct.

– Technology development, concept development, and procurement strategy must go hand in hand, otherwise, you risk losing pace in crucial stages.

Regarding bureaucratic obstacles, he notes:

– It may sound simple to think that the top leader can make a decision and that it should then just be implemented. That's not how it works in practice – there are always other factors that affect how decisions are implemented. As a government agency head, you can only be sufficiently present and actively identify unnecessary bureaucratic steps. Bureaucracy can be an obstacle, but it must be managed, not avoided.

Mattsson presses his index finger against the tabletop:

– There is no magic button you can press to solve this. If there were, I would have already tried – and nothing would have happened.