The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration has selected Ericsson and Saab, together with business partners, to develop the foundation for the future network-based defence. These solutions entail a fresh approach in the use of civilly developed technology, whereby new and existing defence systems are adapted and put together in an integrated defence solution. The Materiel Administration order encompasses developing rules for the design and technical specifications for how the system is to be constructed, a process that is scheduled to be complete by 2006.
It will be designed to make it possible for units of the Swedish Defence Forces to exchange information so that they can operate together, both nationally and internationally. It may also be possible to make use of the chosen solutions in network-based systems in other sectors of society.
The project will be managed by the newly formed company, Saab Ericsson Network Based Defence Innovation, jointly owned by Saab (60 percent) and Ericsson (40 percent). Partners collaborating in the project are IBM and Boeing. Development work will be conducted at the research and development units within the cooperating companies.