Building a strong total defense requires individuals who can combine operational needs with innovation, business acumen, and collaboration. Andreas Löjdquist – Commander of the Army Hospital Battalion – and Oskar Björk – Defense Engineer and industrial PhD student supporting the Army’s innovation unit – have now been awarded scholarships to participate in the executive program ‘The Business Logic of Total Defense’.
The scholarships fund their participation in the program, which is delivered by GU Executive Education in collaboration with the School of Business, Economics and Law at the University of Gothenburg, the Swedish Defence University, and Defence xLab.
The Army’s innovation unit is tasked with shortening the path from identified military needs and available technology to concrete technical and tactical effects. Through the participants’ involvement, the program’s operational perspective is strengthened, while new knowledge and networks can be brought back to the Swedish Armed Forces’ innovation efforts.
“The scholarships should go to individuals who have both the experience and the ability to translate learning into concrete benefits. Andreas and Oskar combine operational understanding with technical expertise, developmental drive, and a strong ability to collaborate across organizational boundaries. They will enrich the group and contribute perspectives that are crucial for us to move faster from idea to actual defense capability,” says Katarina Brud, Director of Defence xLab.
‘The Business Logic of Total Defense’ is a seven-day executive program that combines security policy, business development, and innovation. Participants gain knowledge and tools to understand the actors, decision-making logic, and market conditions of total defense, and to develop relevant collaborations between industry, government agencies, academia, and defense.
The program covers topics such as civil-military collaboration, procurement, law, security requirements, dual-use, and technical innovation. It also provides strategic perspectives on NATO and EU cooperation as well as the changing security policy situation. The program is conducted in Gothenburg and Stockholm over approximately six months and is supplemented by a preparatory online course from the Swedish Defence University.
“Total defense is based on public and private actors understanding each other’s conditions and being able to act together. This is an important initiative because the program creates a common knowledge base and strengthens the ability to translate knowledge into action. This is why the Swedish Defence University is involved as a partner,” says Robert Egnell, Vice-Chancellor of the Swedish Defence University.
There is significant interest in the program. A total of 21 participants have now been finalized, with only two spots remaining. Participants have been selected through an application process, creating a highly qualified group with experiences and perspectives from several parts of society.
“This is a very welcome initiative. The scholarship recipients will certainly be a fine addition to the group and contribute to both the mix and dynamics of the course,” says Måns Söderbom, Dean of the School of Business, Economics and Law at the University of Gothenburg.
The scholarship recipients want to translate knowledge into practical impact
For Andreas Löjdquist, the program will be an opportunity to combine experiences from the Swedish Armed Forces with new perspectives from industry and academia.
“Defense capability is created when we can combine operational needs with knowledge and resources from across society. I look forward to contributing experiences from the Swedish Armed Forces while gaining new perspectives on how collaboration can be translated into practical impact,” says Andreas Löjdquist.
Oskar Björk particularly looks forward to the meeting between different competencies and sectors.
“Innovation only gains value when it works in reality. The program creates a unique meeting place where operational needs can meet the innovation power of industry and the knowledge of academia. I hope to contribute to shortening the path from a good idea to operational capability,” says Oskar Björk.
The scholarship recipients will be recognized at a gathering at the School of Business, Economics and Law at the University of Gothenburg on September 24. The program started on October 14, 2026.
