Build tomorrow's global resilience
Export defence and security
- Industries
- Export defence
Export opportunities in the DEFENCE INDUSTRY
Exporting defence and security solutions involves operating inhighly regulated markets where success depends on procurement access, compliance, technical credibility, and trusted partnerships.
- Defence platforms and mission-critical systems
Swedish companies export defence equipment, systems, and technologies to governments, armed forces, and defence organisations worldwide. - Radar, sensor, and surveillance technologies
Opportunities span situational awareness, detection, tracking, monitoring, and electronic warfare capabilities across defence and security applications. - Cybersecurity and secure communications
Swedish companies provide digital security, encryption, communications, and resilience solutions for defence organisations and critical infrastructure operators. - Dual-use technologies and emerging capabilities
Growing demand for autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, advanced materials, and software is creating opportunities for companies with both civilian and defence applications. - Defence innovation and capability development programmes
Companies can participate in international research, innovation, modernisation, and capability development initiatives linked to evolving defence priorities. - Industrial partnerships and supply-chain integration
Many export opportunities are accessed through prime contractors, industrial cooperation agreements, and established defence supply chains rather than direct end-customer sales.
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A new era for Swedish defence exports
Market considerations
Defence and security markets differ significantly in procurement systems, security requirements, export regulations, and industrial participation expectations. National security priorities, defence budgets, alliance commitments, and local industry requirements often influence purchasing decisions and market access. As a result, success may depend as much on industrial partnerships, supply-chain positioning, and stakeholder engagement as on the technology itself. Understanding these factors is important when assessing market attractiveness and choosing the right route to market.
Typical challenges when exporting in the defence industry
• Navigating export controls and compliance
• Understanding complex procurement processes
• Meeting security and interoperability standards
• Building trusted local relationships
• Managing long sales and qualification cycles
These are often the areas where careful planning and the right support make the biggest difference.
How we support your export journey
Latest insights related to defence
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Upcoming events related to defence
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Looking to invest in defence in Sweden?
Sweden offers a strong foundation for defence and security investment, combining advanced industrial capabilities, innovation-driven technology development, and close collaboration between industry, academia, and the public sector. Discover opportunities in defence systems, dual-use technologies, cybersecurity, and next-generation security solutions.
Q&A about defence export, with Niklas Grybe, Global Head of Defence at Business Sweden
What are the most promising markets for Swedish defence companies right now, and how is Business Sweden helping them gain a foothold?
Europe is clearly in focus driven by the war in Ukraine but also by the urgent need to rebuild a strong and independent defence. Sweden’s geography and role in NATO explains the importance of Finland, the Baltics and Poland.
The largest defense markets in Germany, the UK and France also provide opportunities given their size, growth and complementing capabilities. Besides Europe, the US, South America and Southeast Asia still offer lots of opportunities for many Swedish companies.
Business Sweden supports Swedish companies in many ways, typically by helping them gain access to networks, defence branches, authorities and industrial organisations. We also help them select the right markets and develop export strategies, where more than four–five markets are often addressed at the same time, and we invite them to participate in fairs and delegations.
With defence budgets rising across Europe and beyond, what strategic advice would you give Swedish exporters to stay competitive in this new security landscape?
Take a long-term perspective and focus on building trusted partners and suppliers to secure capacity and resilience over time. Acknowledge the need for local ownership of production and close control of supply chains. Pay attention to the specific needs and do not over-specify your solutions.
Dual-use technologies are becoming increasingly important. How can Swedish SMEs leverage this trend to enter the global defence supply chain?
The gaps in the global defence sector mainly relate to transformative technologies across all the warfare domains which are reshaping the industry. Sweden's defence value chain has strong innovation capabilities and is well-placed to facilitate collaboration with the civil sector through dual-use technology.