Aimpoint in Almedalen: Industrial Capability Is Part of Total Defense
Swedish defense capability is built through close cooperation between the state, government agencies and the companies that can develop, produce and deliver over time. In Almedalen, Aimpoint brought key stakeholders together to discuss the role of industry in total defense.
Sweden’s total defense is not strengthened only through political decisions, increased defense spending and new military units. An essential part also lies in the companies that can develop, produce and deliver the equipment and technology needed as defense capability grows.
This was the starting point when Aimpoint invited participants to a roundtable discussion during Almedalen Week on total defense, Swedish supply capability and long-term conditions for domestic production.
The discussion was held at Science Park Gotland in Visby and was moderated by Kristina von Sydow from Fogel & Partners. Participants included Pål Jonson (M), Minister for Defence, Morgan Johansson (S), Member of Parliament and Deputy Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Mikael Larsson (C), Member of Parliament and member of the Committee on Defence, Carl-Johan Wieslander, Director-General of ISP, Olli Kantanen, Ambassador of Finland to Sweden, and Per Lovatt, CEO of Aimpoint.
The discussion was based on the changed security environment and the ongoing strengthening of total defense in Sweden and across Europe. A central question was how the state, government agencies and industry can together create better conditions for long-term supply capability, industrial capacity and Swedish strategic control over critical technology and production.
For Aimpoint, the issue is concrete. All research, development and production take place in Sweden, with operations in Malmö and Gällivare. This gives the company control over technology, quality and production capability, while also contributing to expertise, jobs and industrial capacity in Sweden.
“We want to take responsibility, and we are extending a hand. Aimpoint and many other companies both want to and can do more, but we need to understand what the needs are and what Sweden wants industry to contribute,” says Per Lovatt, CEO of Aimpoint.
A recurring theme in the discussion was that the actual strength of total defense is built on more than finished products. It also depends on production capacity, supply chains, expertise, regulations and long-term relationships between the public sector and the companies that can contribute technology and delivery capability.
Several examples were raised of how the conditions for industry can be developed. These included permit processes, procurement, preparedness agreements and the need to enable more companies to contribute as defense capability is strengthened. There is also a clear need for increased pace, both in industry and in the public processes that affect companies’ ability to invest, scale up and deliver.
The broad political consensus on defense issues was also an important part of the discussion. Today, there is a wider understanding that the defense industry is part of our shared defense capability. This perspective has become clearer as the security environment has deteriorated, but it also requires long-term commitment and practical cooperation.
Issues such as procurement, vital security interests, preparedness agreements and the role of the state in relation to industry were also raised from a political perspective. This shows that the discussion on total defense is not only about how much Sweden should invest, but also about how those investments are turned into real capability.
The discussion also addressed the need for Nordic cooperation. For Aimpoint, NORDEFCO is an example of how the Nordic countries can cooperate around shared needs and strengthened security of supply. When Sweden, Finland, Norway and Denmark use common solutions, this creates better conditions for interoperability, long-term planning and industrial predictability.
For Aimpoint, taking part in Almedalen is part of a long-term effort to strengthen understanding of the company’s role in Swedish total defense. In a changed security environment, Swedish industrial capability is becoming an increasingly important part of overall preparedness.
With 50 years of Swedish technology development as its foundation, Aimpoint continues to be an active part of the work to strengthen Sweden’s future defense capability.