The Swedish Army has selected Elbit Systems Sweden as an integration partner for the force’s LSS Mark digitalisation programme in a deal worth around $170m (Skr1.9bn). The contract will be fulfilled over a ten-year period.

GlobalData tells us that Sweden is one of the most digitalised societies in the world. Its economic prosperity and security are closely tied to digitalisation, and this creates new vulnerabilities.

The country has committed to building a dedicated cybersecurity centre and cooperates closely with similar establishments in both the EU and Nato to mitigate the risk of large-scale cyber attacks.

As an integration partner, Elbit Systems will lead the rollout of the Swedish Armed Forces digitisation by integrating, installing, maintaining and upgrading the Army’s command and control systems on a variety of platforms, from command posts and vehicles to dismounted systems, and as such both support the growth of Swedish Army as well as capability enhancements.

LSS Mark is the combined system of systems that enables combat units, within the mobile ground units of all combat forces, to be led in the field from division commander to soldier, according to the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMZ).

The system includes, among other things, wiring sites, platforms, carrier, communication and information systems, power supply, operational support and maintenance systems, and education and training systems.

For LSS Mark to be relevant to the current threat picture, the system will be under consistent development and delivered in new system versions throughout its lifetime. The development takes place in packages where the functionality is developed approximately every two years, according to a plan agreed with the Swedish Armed Forces.

The work will take place at Elbit Systems’ Sweden’s facilities, enhancing the company’s commitment to grow and upskill the Swedish defence industrial base.