Defense

Don’t just take our word for it. That’s according to testimony and statements made during the June 2022 US Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on NATO enlargement to include Sweden and Finland.

Prior to its accession to NATO, Sweden was militarily nonaligned for more than 200 years. As a result, Sweden can boast an independent defense industrial base that has developed cutting-edge capabilities for the Swedish Armed Forces across all domains including fighter aircrafts, weapons systems, surveillance systems, combat vehicles, surface ships, submarines, crypto, cyber, and space launch.

Sweden has an impressive security and defense industrial base of approximately 200 companies, the majority of which have a track record of success on the international market.

The Swedish-US defense cooperation has been an essential part of the Swedish national security strategy for decades. Bilateral defense-industry cooperation has also been essential to the transatlantic link. Many Swedish defense companies have invested in development, production, and support operations in the US.

The next generation of both the Gripen E fighter aircraft and the Airborne Early Warning & Control Global Eye aircraft, are designed and produced by Saab in Sweden. These aircrafts will greatly improve the air defense capability of Sweden and in NATO. Saab is working jointly together with Boeing on the contract to deliver the next generation Pilot Training Aircraft and associated training systems to the US Air Force. The US Air Force has named the aircraft T-7A Red Hawk.
​​​​​​​Photo: www.saab.com

Archer needs less than 20 seconds, from stopping the vehicle, position for action, and fire the first round. Archer can then fire six rounds, displace, and move 500 meters in less than two2 minutes, while the crew remains in the armored cabin - . Wwell before enemy counter-battery radar systems can detect and return indirect fire, making Archer the ultimate shoot-and-scoot system. Archer integrated on a Volvo 6x6 chassis is in operational use with the Swedish and Ukrainiane armies, and was recently delivered to UK. The Archer system is highly modular by design and can be integrated on different carriers. ARCHER on a MAN 8x8 is on contract by the Swedish customer, and also being evaluated by Switzerland. For potential future US Army requirements, initial steps are taken to integrate on a US truck.
​​​​​​​Photo: baesystems.com ​​​​​​​

Swedish companies, through their US operations, provide solutions to all branches of the US Armed Forces, often in cooperation with US industry partners. This investment and technology transfer from Sweden to the US strengthens US national security, and creates advanced manufacturing and engineering jobs for Americans.

The importance of a continued strong transatlantic link has been accentuated by ongoing geopolitical developments, including Russia’s war in Ukraine.

In December 2023, Sweden and the US signed a new defense cooperation agreement to further expand their security partnership. This agreement will also support a continued expansion of the US-Sweden defense-industry cooperation, deepening the bonds between the two democracies.