Robert Limmergård, Secretary General of the industry association SOFF and one of the council's members, welcomes the announcement in a post on LinkedIn.
He further writes that the association will advance several points, including reducing administration for small and medium-sized enterprises to simplify their participation in defence innovation programmes such as the European Defence Fund (EDF) and promoting cooperation and dialogue between companies, universities, and defence authorities is also a priority.
– The establishment of a Defence Innovation Council is an important step to enhance the conditions for cooperation between the defence sector and the civilian sector. Being at the forefront of technological development and translating research and development into defence innovations is crucial for the operational capability of the defence and our security policy position. There are good conditions to succeed with this through the innovation climate and the deep technical knowledge that exists in Sweden, says Defence Minister Pål Jonson (M) in the Ministry of Defence's press release.
The council consists of nine members with various competencies and backgrounds. The Ministry of Defence writes that the council will meet twice a year to discuss cooperation between the defence sector and the civilian sector, and experts may also be invited to the meetings to provide specific perspectives.
Catharina Sandberg is the CEO of the business incubator LEAD in Linköping (southern Sweden), which is owned by Linköping University. Last winter, the Swedish Armed Forces and Vinnova recommended the business incubator as an Accelerator for NATO's DIANA programme. If you want to read more about Sweden's contribution to the DIANA programme, you can do so here.
In a press release from the incubator, Catharina Sandberg states that "[i]t is an honourable and important mission to be able to represent the small innovative technology companies' voices and perspectives and to see how we can accelerate and implement innovations in several markets faster and more securely"
The first meeting will be held on 17 June at the Ministry of Defence. These individuals have been appointed as members of the Defence Innovation Council:
Pål Jonson (chairman), Defence Minister
Michael Claesson, Chief of Defence Staff, Swedish Armed Forces
Robert Egnell, Rector, Swedish Defence University
Eva Hagwall, Deputy Director General, Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV)
Darja Isaksson, Director General, Vinnova
Micael Johansson, CEO, Saab
Robert Limmergård, Secretary General, Security and Defence Industry Association
Jens Mattsson, Director General, Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI)
Catharina Sandberg, CEO, LEAD – LiU Entrepreneurship and Development
Pia Sandvik, CEO, Teknikföretagen