Changes In The Regulatory Framework For Military Equipment And Export Control

Sweden’s regulatory framework for military equipment and export control is being adapted to a changed security policy landscape. Following the Swedish Parliament’s decision, the rules will include revised guidelines for licensing assessments, new exemptions from licensing requirements for certain subcontractors and extended reporting obligations for licence holders. In this article, we summarise the key changes and what they mean for companies in the defence industry and related supply chains.

On 9 June 2026, the Swedish Parliament adopted the government bill 2025/26:228 on a modern and adapted regulatory framework for military equipment. The bill contains, inter alia, revised guidelines for licensing under the Military Equipment Act (1992:1300), new exemptions from licensing requirements for subcontractors in the defence industry, extended reporting obligations for license holders, and a new requirement for a weapons manufacturer license under the new Firearms Act (2026:408), which