Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine over three years ago is one of the events that are in the background to Sweden now getting its first national strategy for the defense industry.
According to the government, among other things, faster innovation, increased production and better cooperation between the state and industry are needed.
Nothing indicates that Russia's ambition to dominate Ukraine will decrease. We must therefore continue our upgrading of total defense, says Pål Jonson at a press conference.
Get more ammunition
To increase innovation, the government wants to establish a collaboration group between different authorities in the defense area. It should also become easier for especially small and medium-sized companies to test and demonstrate different prototypes.
On the production side, among other things, further measures are needed to increase the production of ammunition.
Strengthening the operational capability of the war units is the most important task. A strong defense industry is absolutely central to solving that task, says Pål Jonson.
S wants to increase state influence
The Social Democrats in general think that the strategy is good and welcome a greater state ambition when it comes to the defense industry. But they lack direct state economic guarantees for new production lines and larger capacities. Pål Jonson excludes increased state involvement.
But I think it's even more important that these defense companies get long-term orders that stretch over many years, he says.
S can also think of state ownership in the defense industry, especially linked to essential security interests, such as fighter jets and submarines.
