🇸🇪 BODENXT: Defense transition creates big business opportunities

A changing global situation means a significant expansion of the Swedish Armed Forces and a potential goldmine for businesses in Boden.
– “It’s hard to think of any other organization in Sweden with as broad a procurement as the Swedish Armed Forces,” said Jonas Berglund, Head of Procurement at the Swedish Armed Forces, during Bodenxt Talks.

For businesses in Boden, opportunities are opening up that stretch far beyond the city’s borders. With an armed forces that is expanding in both scale and needs, new business opportunities are emerging for companies of all sizes, from local small businesses to national players.

To provide the business community with a better understanding of how they can benefit from the increased presence of the Armed Forces and contribute to both the military and civilian sectors, Bodenxt Talks, a recurring lecture series, was organized. The theme for this session was the growth of the Armed Forces.

Joakim Paasikivi, an expert in defense issues, highlighted Boden’s strategic role in an increasingly unstable world. He explained how the Arctic region is becoming more interesting to major powers like Russia and China, not only for its natural resources but also for its growing importance as a transportation route..

He expects that Sweden, now part of the NATO military alliance, will participate in more exercises, need expanded forces, and increase its readiness.

Lars Karlsson, head of the Northern Military Region, shares this view, emphasizing the need to use time wisely.

– “Russia’s military capability has been severely weakened after the war in Ukraine, but there are strong indications that they will rebuild their strength quickly once a ceasefire is in place, and Sweden must be ready when that happens”, he says.

This development not only means more military exercises and larger units, but also an increased need for local infrastructure and services.

Jonas Berglund, Head of Procurement, highlighted how the breadth of the Swedish Armed Forces’ purchases extends across almost all industries, which provides enormous potential for companies to enter as suppliers.

– “It’s hard to think of any other organization in Sweden with procurement as broad as the Armed Forces,” he said, describing how everything from food to construction materials and equipment is necessary to support the growing operations.

Small business opportunities in local procurement

It is not just about large contracts. From a purchasing perspective, Jonas Berglund sees it as a paradigm shift in which small and medium-sized enterprises also have an important role to play. The increasing number of local procurements also gives smaller companies a chance to enter as subcontractors for larger framework agreements.

– We see a clear trend of more local agreements, he added, and also mentioned examples of companies in Boden that have already won framework agreements with the Armed Forces and now deliver services and products to the entire organization.

For companies interested in participating in the Swedish Armed Forces’ procurements, quality assurance of tenders is a crucial factor. Jonas Berglund emphasizes the importance of avoiding careless mistakes and ensuring that all attachments are included in the bids.

– If you are careful, your chances of winning the tender increase by many percent, even in central contracts. We have many failures due to sloppy procurement.

Håkan Tano , Regional Director at the Swedish Fortifications Agency , described how Boden’s defence infrastructure is being modernized and expanded.

New buildings, renovations of old facilities and securing land for future development mean a constant need for contractors and suppliers in construction, land and maintenance.

– The framework agreements cover areas such as ventilation, electricity and earthworks. We also have several projects underway in Boden,” he says.

Link to the procurement page of the Fortifications Agency:

The current expansion of the Armed Forces and the green transition in Boden create a unique opportunity for businesses to grow and develop. With increased needs in everything from logistics to construction and infrastructure, the business community can play a key role in the future that is now being shaped.

Bodenxt Talks is an event inspired by the internationally renowned Ted Talks concept. Each event consists of thematic lectures and ends with a panel debate where experts and representatives from different industries discuss how they can work together to contribute to Boden’s development. Bodenxt Talks thus creates a unique meeting place for entrepreneurs, researchers and other actors who want to be part of the future that is now being shaped.