Defense, security, space, and international collaboration took center stage as Europe’s future competitiveness was discussed at the 75th Annual Meeting of the German‑Swedish Chamber of Commerce, held at the Stockholm School of Economics.
The event brought together leaders from industry, government, and academia to explore how a rapidly changing security landscape is reshaping economic priorities, innovation, and leadership across Europe.
Charlotta Sund, President and CEO of SSC Space, joined a high‑level panel alongside Michael Schöllhorn (Airbus Defence and Space), Micael Johansson (Saab), Anna Borg (Vattenfall), and Rear Admiral Jens Nykvist (Swedish Armed Forces). Together, the panel offered perspectives from the intersection of industry, defense, energy, and public institutions, highlighting the growing interdependence between security, technology, and societal resilience.
A key takeaway from the discussion was the increasingly strategic role of space. From secure communications and surveillance to critical infrastructure, navigation, and climate monitoring, space capabilities are becoming essential foundations for security, resilience, and long‑term economic strength. To deliver on these ambitions, investment must be aligned with strategic priorities and operational needs.
As Europe faces heightened geopolitical uncertainty, panelists emphasized the need for closer cooperation between industry, governments, and international partners. Space was repeatedly highlighted not only as a technological domain, but as a strategic enabler, supporting defense, economic stability, and Europe’s ability to act with speed and confidence in a more complex world.
“Innovation rarely happens in isolation,” Charlotta Sund noted. “It is built through collaboration across sectors, borders, and disciplines – especially when addressing challenges that shape our shared future.”
The discussion reinforced a growing consensus: strengthening Europe’s security and competitiveness will require sustained investment, bold collaboration, and the ability to translate innovation into operational capability – on Earth and beyond.
Photo credit: German-Swedish Chamber of Commerce.
