policy_strategy

Vinnova and the Swedish Armed Forces Launch Innovation Programme

Vinnova and the Swedish Armed Forces have launched an innovation programme to strengthen synergies between civilian and military research. The programme aims to address defence-related issues and will initially be funded with 60 million kronor.

Vinnova and the Swedish Armed Forces Launch Innovation Programme
Vinnova and the Swedish Armed Forces, on behalf of the government, have announced a programme to utilise synergies between civil and military research and development. The programme, conducted with the support of the Swedish Defence Research Agency and the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration, has now published the first calls for proposals, according to press releases from the Swedish Armed Forces and Vinnova.

– The Swedish defence is evolving, and the Armed Forces are set to grow with more personnel, modern equipment, and new and developed capabilities. The global situation requires us to increase military capability here and now while simultaneously strengthening capability development in the long term. We look forward to a collective innovation force for the defence of Sweden, says Major General Johan Pekkari, Chief of Strategy at the Swedish Armed Forces, in the agencies' press releases.

The first calls within the programme are directed towards a wide range of different companies and organisations. The goal is to address defence-related issues by creating a national cluster of organisations that can collaborate effectively.

The programme also aims to accelerate the development of dual-use technologies, developed by startups and small and medium-sized enterprises. The programme is part of the government's initiative and will initially be funded with 60 million kronor in 2024.

– There are great opportunities in harnessing civil-military synergies that strengthen our defence capability and, in the long run, international competitiveness. We can do this, among other things, by finding military applications for groundbreaking technology developed for the civil sector. The programme is also significant for Swedish participation in the advanced innovation work currently being developed within NATO, says Darja Isaksson, Director General of Vinnova.

In connection with the announcement on 17 June, the first meeting of the government's Defence Innovation Council was also held. The government established the Defence Innovation Council, led by Defence Minister Pål Jonson (M), in May. The council is intended to serve as a strategic forum for information exchange and dialogue regarding the government's initiatives to promote Swedish defence innovation.

– Historically, we have successfully developed solutions for the defence of society. But the challenges we face today require more. If we are to provide our soldiers and sailors with the best equipment, we need more innovation. To succeed, we need to fundamentally change how we work, our processes, and our culture - and here the council will be crucial, said Robert Limmergård, Secretary General of the Security and Defence Industry Association, at the Ministry of Defence.

The first calls have now been published on Vinnova's website: Collaboration Projects for Civil-Military Synergies and Acceleration of Civil-Military Innovations. The third call will open after Midsummer.