National Leadership in Defense Innovation Takes Shape in Östergötland
As Sweden bolsters its defense capabilities, a surge in innovation is paramount. And where better to find it than in Östergötland? A national effort is taking shape, rooted in this technologically advanced region.
Since 2023, a significant government initiative has been underway, aimed at strengthening both national and European security. This stems from the current geopolitical landscape, where an innovative and agile defense industry is crucial. Recognizing the groundbreaking technological advancements within the business and academic sectors, the focus is on the synergy between various societal actors to find solutions – a challenge perfectly suited for Östergötland.
“Our region, with Linköping at its forefront, is more than ready to take overall responsibility in this matter. We have a research-intensive university and numerous actors active in defense-related activities, such as Saab, Sectra, and Link22. Additionally, FOI, FMV, a disaster medical center, the helicopter wing, and the combat school in Kvarn are all located here,” says Catharina Sandberg, CEO of the business incubator LEAD.
LEAD Spearheads Civil-Military Innovation
LEAD, the civil-military innovation program, has already been selected as Sweden’s candidate for NATO Diana. It recently launched and completed Sweden’s first civil-military accelerator program with support from Vinnova and the Swedish Armed Forces. This program provided 15 startups with the opportunity to connect with the defense industry in a reciprocal exchange of knowledge. The defense sector received support in developing its innovation capabilities, while the companies were trained in how their technology could be adapted to meet military requirements.
“The accelerator program has taught us an enormous amount, which we can now take forward. We have many groundbreaking technologies that can strengthen the Swedish defense,” Sandberg emphasizes.
Defense Hub Sweden: A Regional Innovation Powerhouse
The future direction of Sweden’s innovation efforts remains to be seen. However, the driving forces in Östergötland are not waiting idly. Instead, they are launching Defense Hub Sweden – a regional innovation hub with national and international ambitions. This initiative is funded by the municipalities of Linköping and Norrköping, as well as Region Östergötland, and is driven by LEAD and Linköping Science Park, among others. The goal is to bring together a broad range of actors who can collectively offer access to the defense market, test and demo environments, expert advice, and capital.
A Full Agenda of Defense Activities
Alongside the development of Defense Hub Sweden, several defense-related activities are underway throughout Östergötland. This spring has seen a series of program meetings with Saab and Sectra, as well as startups from the civil-military accelerator program.
Another example is the regional cybersecurity cluster, Cyberly, which recently established a working group for companies looking to build Security Operations Centers.
“Östergötland, with Linköping as its center, is uniquely positioned to meet national and international defense needs related to innovation and entrepreneurship. We intend to make the most of this opportunity – to take national leadership in the development of a strengthened total defense,” concludes Sandberg.
Key Takeaways:
- Östergötland is emerging as a hub for defense innovation in Sweden.
- The Defense Hub Sweden initiative aims to connect various actors in the defense market.
- Civil-military collaboration is a key focus, with programs like LEAD’s accelerator playing a crucial role.
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