DEBATE
DEBATE. Defense policy includes technology development, value chains and Swedish industry. Sweden needs a new authority for business supply security, writes Markus Selin (S).
This is a discussion article. The opinions expressed are the writer’s own.
The third anniversary of Russia’s all-out war of aggression against Ukraine is approaching. A war contrary to international law, which is not only about Ukraine’s freedom and democracy, but about the future of all of Europe.
The war is reminiscent of World War I trench warfare, but with modern technological elements such as drones and satellites. We must continue to support Ukraine. We also need to strengthen Swedish defence, and here we can do more.
The world situation naturally affects the work of the Social Democrats in the Riksdag – how we act, the will, what we say and what we write. Technology development and Swedish industry run like a red thread in our work. Sweden is a country of engineers, a nation of knowledge, and we social democrats approve of a stronger defence, technological development and more jobs throughout the country.
The authority must, for example, provide answers on how supply chains should be built and the relationship between state, business and authorities should be coordinated for best efficiency during crisis and war.
Our proposals range from space via development programs for drones, to the handling of security-sensitive information, knowledge building, the establishment of an accident commission regarding cyber and information security, that the conditions for another submarine must be investigated, as well as a future new submarine class.
Sweden has so-called essential security interests determined by the Riksdag with fighter jets, submarines, sensors and crypto. We believe that ammunition should also be counted as an essential security interest, which would provide long-term perspective and, ultimately, priorities before the demands of war.
The industry’s ability to maintain and be able to adjust its operations is central to a functioning Sweden in crisis and war. Last year, 55 percent of Sweden’s GDP came from exports, around 80 percent of GDP’s value from private companies.
The SD government can do more here. We believe that they should urgently investigate the appointment of a new authority for business security and economic defence. The authority must, for example, provide answers on how supply chains should be built and the relationship between state, business and authorities should be coordinated for best efficiency during crisis and war. Business can become even more ready, Sweden’s preparedness even stronger.
As Sweden’s own needs are less than the production potential, we want to see an established defense industry strategy – for Swedish production, degrees of freedom, research and export. We would also like to see a defense industrial agreement established between Sweden and Finland. Some joint projects are ongoing, for example around automatic carbines and armored all-terrain vehicles, but this is not enough. Finland and Sweden have done a lot over the years, but never this and this will be additional ways to build strength.
The SD-backed M-KD-L government must neither drag its feet nor spread doubt in the mentioned areas, which is especially true of the upcoming bigger issue: our future fighter aircraft.
The work on feasibility studies and the timing of the decision regarding future combat aircraft is ticking along. The lead times are long and the Swedish alternative must be prioritized. Different degrees of cooperation may later turn out to be necessary, but we social democrats firmly believe that Swedish research, competence, experience and specifications should characterize the future decision about future combat aircraft. Now we need to get information from the government about the fighter jet – will they ensure that Swedish competence and development capabilities are protected?
Our defense requires cooperation and sacrifice. We social democrats see that the defense and security policy comes at a cost, but the ultimate aim is to guarantee Sweden’s independence and independence. This must be a given priority for Sweden, the country of engineers.
Markus Selin (S), member of the Riksdag, deputy in the defense committee and the EU committee, civil engineer and civil economist
Source: www.nyteknik.se
