The battlefield in Ukraine has become a testing area for the world's weapons manufacturers, including Swedish ones. According to Martin Lundmark, a researcher at the Swedish Defence University, this leads to faster technological development. He stated that companies face the sharpest possible resistance there, which is different from testing on a training field in Norrbotten.
The war in Ukraine has become an engine for the development of new military technology, with companies from around the world seeking to test their prototypes in the country. There are no public figures on how many Swedish companies have tested on site, but according to information to SVT, it involves a handful. Weapons used by Ukraine have been closely studied for their effectiveness.
He stated that companies face the sharpest possible resistance there, which is different from testing on a training field in Norrbotten.
Regarding Sweden's support to Ukraine, a condition has been to receive detailed feedback on the weapons. Ukraine has now established a state test center, Brave1, which simplifies for foreign weapons companies to test prototypes and products under development in active combat. According to the test center, interest is massive, with over a hundred companies reportedly conducting tests and thousands in line.
Andrii Hrytseniuk, CEO of Brave1, said that if companies want to be leading or competitive in the defense industry, they must be there, as there is no other way to keep up with development. According to researcher Martin Lundmark, Swedish weapons development has occurred very slowly in recent decades, something he believes now needs to change due to the new situation. The main purpose of the tests in Ukraine is to speed up deliveries of new technology to the battlefield, according to Andrii Hrytseniuk, who described it as a win-win for both sides, with Ukraine getting products faster and more effective, and companies saving time, resources, and costs.
Andrii Hrytseniuk, CEO of Brave1, said that if companies want to be leading or competitive in the defense industry, they must be there, as there is no other way to keep up with development.
Swedish companies testing in Ukraine do so in consultation with Swedish authorities, with the goal often being that they can later be donated within the framework of support to Ukraine. In the end, this could also benefit the Swedish Armed Forces, as they can use this knowledge and buy systems already tested against Russia.
According to researcher Martin Lundmark, Swedish weapons development has occurred very slowly in recent decades, something he believes now needs to change due to the new situation.
The main purpose of the tests in Ukraine is to speed up deliveries of new technology to the battlefield, according to Andrii Hrytseniuk, who described it as a win-win for both sides, with Ukraine getting products faster and more effective, and companies saving time, resources, and costs.