The Photonics4 Defence workshop, held on 21 October 2025 in Kista, brought together over 135 participants from more than 80 organisations representing industry, academia, defence research agencies, and innovation clusters.
Its purpose was to foster collaboration around the use of photonics and electronics in defence, manufacturing, and quality assurance systems.
Through technical presentations, strategic discussions, and open networking, the workshop highlighted the essential role of photonics in Sweden’s emerging defence and dual-use technology landscape — covering sensing, imaging, secure communications, manufacturing metrology, and photonic integration.
The event focused on innovation, collaboration, and strategic alignment with the European Defence Industrial Strategy (EDIS) and the new European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP).
Context
Global military expenditure reached USD 2.7 trillion in 2024—a 9.4% increase from 2023—driven by growing geopolitical tensions. In response, the European Union is investing in strengthening its defence technological and industrial base. The EDIS sets ambitious goals for member states to jointly procure 40% of defence equipment by 2030 and ensure that at least 50% of defence procurement budgets are spent within the EU by 2035.
The workshop’s stated goals were to:
- Present current research and innovation in photonics and electronics for defence applications.
- Build bridges between research institutions, industrial companies, and defence agencies.
- Identify collaborative opportunities and project ideas aligned with EU and national funding.
- Promote Sweden’s capabilities in optical and photonic technologies for both defence and civilian applications.
- Support knowledge transfer between academia and SMEs, particularly for advanced manufacturing and quality assurance systems.
Participants and Representation
A total of 130 confirmed attendees participated, spanning a broad spectrum of sectors.
The participant list reflected Sweden’s strong, interconnected photonics ecosystem:
| Sector | Example Organisations / Participants | Approx. Representation |
| Industry & SMEs | Lumibird Photonics Sweden AB, Optronic Partner PR AB, Hamamatsu Photonics Norden AB, Laser Components Nordic AB, FLIR Systems AB (Teledyne), Leonardo Italy, FISBA Photonics GmbH, Accurate Nordic AB, Aimpoint AB, IRnova AB, EXAIL, Panasonic Connect Europe GmbH, Saab AB / Saab Dynamics, Theon Sensors | ~45% |
| Academia & Research Institutes | KTH Royal Institute of Technology Chalmers University of Technology, Uppsala University, Linköping University, Luleå University of Technology, University of Eastern Finland | ~25% |
| Government & Defence Agencies | FOI (Swedish Defence Research Agency); FMV (Swedish Defence Materiel Administration) Nordic Air Defence AB | ~10% |
| Clusters & Associations | PhotonicSweden, Kista Science City, Business France, Business Joensuu, IEEE Photonics Society Sweden | ~10% |
| Consultancies / Engineering Services | AFRY, Combitech AB, Prevas AB, Expando AB | ~10% |
Industry end-users of photonics technologies were well represented at the Photonics4 Defence 2025 workshop.
Around 40–45 % of attendees came from companies that apply or integrate photonics solutions in their own defence, security, or industrial products — rather than purely developing optical components.
Here’s a breakdown showing clear evidence of end-user participation:
Defence and Security System Integrators (direct end-users)
These organisations use photonics in weapon sights, surveillance, sensors, and targeting systems:
| Company | Typical Photonics Use |
| Saab AB / Saab Dynamics | Laser rangefinders, EO/IR systems, optical countermeasures, and missile guidance |
| Aimpoint AB | Optical sights and imaging systems |
| IRnova AB | Infrared detector production and integration |
| FLIR Systems AB / Teledyne FLIR / | EO/IR imaging and thermal cameras for surveillance and vehicles |
| Leonardo Italy | Defence and aerospace photonics (laser designators, targeting pods) |
| Theon Sensors | Night-vision and thermal imaging systems |
| Nordic Air Defence AB | Integrator of air-defence and radar/EO systems |
| Combitech AB | Defence and security consultancy – systems integration |
| Expando AB | Defence electronics and ruggedized communication systems |
Conclusion
The workshop achieved strong participation from industrial end-users of photonics, especially from the defence, aerospace, and manufacturing sectors.
Their attendance confirmed the event’s aim: to bridge technology providers with operational users who define real-world requirements.
