Kista to lead SEK 35 million defence innovation initiative

Kista Science City and several of Sweden’s leading innovation hubs have launched a new initiative aimed at strengthening links between the country’s startup ecosystem and the defence sector.

The TACTIC programme has secured SEK 35 million in funding and seeks to accelerate the development and commercialisation of dual-use technologies with both civilian and military applications.

The initiative brings together Kista Science City, Ideon Science Park, LEAD, Sting and Uppsala Innovation Centre (UIC), with support from the European Union and Region Stockholm.

Its focus is to help small and medium-sized technology companies adapt, validate and scale solutions for defence-sector requirements, addressing a longstanding gap between Sweden’s civilian innovation base and defence procurement opportunities.

- Sweden has strong innovation capacity within the civilian sector, but many technological breakthroughs never reach the defence market. By bringing together expertise from different regions, we can help companies navigate regulatory frameworks, business models and the requirements of the defence sector, said Karin Bengtsson, chief executive of Kista Science City in a press release.

Rather than providing direct grants, TACTIC will support companies in identifying external funding opportunities, engaging with potential customers and partners, and understanding the pathways into defence markets. The programme will also develop new approaches to business support, test environments and innovation partnerships.

Over the next three years, the consortium aims to support at least 80 small and medium-sized enterprises developing dual-use technologies. It also plans to facilitate at least ten innovation projects involving companies and defence-sector stakeholders, alongside a minimum of ten international collaborations.

The partners intend for TACTIC to become the foundation of a longer-term framework linking civilian innovation environments with defence stakeholders across Sweden.

- The ambition is to strengthen Sweden’s industrial capacity and create better conditions for a competitive ecosystem around technologies with both civilian and military applications, Bengtsson said.