Capability Development within Defence Materiel Systems - A Literature Review

Authors:

  • Joel Karlsson
  • Anna Månson
  • Henry Vesterlund

Publish date: 2026-05-07

Report number: FOI-R--5911--SE

Pages: 47

Written in: Swedish

Keywords:

  • defence materiel supply process
  • innovation capability
  • Swedish Defence Materiel Administration
  • Swedish Armed Forces

Abstract

Sweden is facing a critical security policy turning point that places immediate and extensive pressure on the defence materiel supply process. The changed threat landscape requires both rapid procurements and long-term transformations. Simultaneously, the defence industry is undergoing a transition from decades of export-focused production toward a renewed focus on national defence production. This literature review examines obstacles and success factors that affect the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration's (FMV) ability to support the development of the capabilities that the Swedish Armed Forces require today and in the future. A systematic review of 20 research reports from the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI) published between 2001 and 2025 was conducted. The analysis focused on factors that FMV can directly influence, organized around four main thematic areas: organization and process management; communication, collaboration and cooperation; competence; and innovation capacity. The study identifies four recurring obstacles that have been consistently highlighted over the past two decades:  Lack of common information management systems  Insufficient collaboration and requirements definition between the authorities  Competence shortages and personnel turnover  Internal governance problems within FMV In parallel, four success factors for effective materiel supply emerge:  Flexibility within a clear governance framework  Trust-based leadership and organizational culture  Early collaboration and cooperation  Long-term competence planning