Striving for security of supply. The Swedish policy of mutual dependencies

The composition of the Swedish defence industry is a product of the long-time policy to maintain a strong domestic defence industrial base to ensure access to qualified defence materiel. New conditions for the defence industry during the 1990s have made international collaboration necessary which is actively supported by the Swedish government. One essential policy tool is the striving for cross-border mutual dependencies between defence companies to support security of supply in times of increased demand. The findings of this report show that the policy of mutual dependencies resides in an exaggerated impression of creating security of supply. Therefore mutual dependencies does not guarantee future security of supply. However, the more the defence industry in Sweden is integrated with the international defence industry, the options are improved for its long~term competitiveness and consequently its international position is strengthened. Thus, striving for mutual dependencies by supporting the strivings of the defence industry in Sweden to establish an international position is a reasonable way to support options for some level of security of supply.