---
title: "Speed is the new capability: Nordic Home Guard leaders call for faster innovation"
description: The Nordic armed forces need more than new equipment. They need the ability to identify problems, test solutions and field new capabilities at a much faster pace. That was the shared message from the commanders of the Swedish, Danish and Norwegian Home Guards at the Defence and Security Conference.
image: https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/hubfs/Forsvarskonferansen%202026%20-%20Foto%20Lars%20Bugge%20Aarset%20Fremtidens%20Industri%20(174).jpg
---

[![NORDSEC-logo](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/hs-fs/hubfs/Nordsec_logo_and_tag_white_side_pb_oransj.png?width=300&height=100&name=Nordsec_logo_and_tag_white_side_pb_oransj.png "NORDSEC-logo")](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/?hsLang=en)

- [News](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/en/news)
- Events 
    - [Forsvarskonferansen - NORDSEC Defence and Security Conference](https://www.nordsec-conference.no/)
    - [NORDSEC events](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/events)
- Members 
    - [Members](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/members)
    - [Membership](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/membership)
- [Forsvarskonferansen](https://www.nordsec-conference.no/)
- About NORDSEC 
    - [Contact](https://www.nordsec-conference.no/contact)
    - [Newsletter](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/newsletter)
    - [Test facilities](https://testination.io/)

<https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/en/news/speed-is-the-new-capability-nordic-home-guard-leaders-call-for-faster-innovation#ftheme-header__icons--search__mmenu>

[![Nordsec\_logo\_and\_tag\_white\_side\_pb\_oransj-1](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/hs-fs/hubfs/Nordsec_logo_and_tag_white_side_pb_oransj-1.png?width=240&height=73&name=Nordsec_logo_and_tag_white_side_pb_oransj-1.png "Nordsec_logo_and_tag_white_side_pb_oransj-1")](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/?hsLang=en)

<https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/en/news/speed-is-the-new-capability-nordic-home-guard-leaders-call-for-faster-innovation#ftheme-header__mobile-nav__mmenu>

[![NORDSEC-logo](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/hs-fs/hubfs/Nordsec_logo_and_tag_white_side_pb_oransj.png?width=300&height=100&name=Nordsec_logo_and_tag_white_side_pb_oransj.png "NORDSEC-logo")](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/?hsLang=en)

- [News](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/en/news)
- Events 
    - [Forsvarskonferansen - NORDSEC Defence and Security Conference](https://www.nordsec-conference.no/)
    - [NORDSEC events](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/events)
- Members 
    - [Members](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/members)
    - [Membership](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/membership)
- [Forsvarskonferansen](https://www.nordsec-conference.no/)
- About NORDSEC 
    - [Contact](https://www.nordsec-conference.no/contact)
    - [Newsletter](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/newsletter)
    - [Test facilities](https://testination.io/)

<https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/en/news/speed-is-the-new-capability-nordic-home-guard-leaders-call-for-faster-innovation#ftheme-header__icons--search__mmenu>

[![Nordsec\_logo\_and\_tag\_white\_side\_pb\_oransj-1](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/hs-fs/hubfs/Nordsec_logo_and_tag_white_side_pb_oransj-1.png?width=240&height=73&name=Nordsec_logo_and_tag_white_side_pb_oransj-1.png "Nordsec_logo_and_tag_white_side_pb_oransj-1")](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/?hsLang=en)

<https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/en/news/speed-is-the-new-capability-nordic-home-guard-leaders-call-for-faster-innovation#ftheme-header__mobile-nav__mmenu>

- [News](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/en/news)
- Events 
    - [Forsvarskonferansen - NORDSEC Defence and Security Conference](https://www.nordsec-conference.no/)
    - [NORDSEC events](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/events)
- Members 
    - [Members](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/members)
    - [Membership](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/membership)
- [Forsvarskonferansen](https://www.nordsec-conference.no/)
- About NORDSEC 
    - [Contact](https://www.nordsec-conference.no/contact)
    - [Newsletter](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/newsletter)
    - [Test facilities](https://testination.io/)

## Speed is the new capability: Nordic Home Guard leaders call for faster innovation

[Lars Bugge Aarset](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/en/news/author/lars-bugge-aarset)

 Sep 28, 2026, 10:30:51 AM

The Nordic armed forces need more than new equipment. They need the ability to identify problems, test solutions and field new capabilities at a much faster pace. That was the shared message from the commanders of the Swedish, Danish and Norwegian Home Guards at the Defence and Security Conference.

The biggest challenge facing Nordic defence is no longer access to technology. It is speed.

Speaking at the Defence and Security Conference, Major General Mattias Ardin, Commander of the Swedish Home Guard, Major General Gunner Arpe Nielsen, Commander of the Danish Home Guard, and Major General Frode Ommundsen, Head of the Norwegian Home Guard, argued that military organisations must shorten the distance between operational needs and practical solutions. The security environment is changing faster than traditional defence structures were designed to handle, and the armed forces need to adapt accordingly.

> *“What do the Armed Forces of Sweden need?” Ardin asked. “I should say speed.”*

![Forsvarskonferansen 2026 - Foto Lars Bugge Aarset Fremtidens Industri (153)-1](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/hs-fs/hubfs/Forsvarskonferansen%202026%20-%20Foto%20Lars%20Bugge%20Aarset%20Fremtidens%20Industri%20(153)-1.jpg?width=6000&height=4000&name=Forsvarskonferansen%202026%20-%20Foto%20Lars%20Bugge%20Aarset%20Fremtidens%20Industri%20(153)-1.jpg)Major General Mattias Ardin, Commander of the Swedish Home Guard. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri

## From buying products to solving problems

A recurring theme throughout the session was the need to rethink the relationship between the military and industry. Rather than focusing first on procurement, the commanders argued that armed forces should start by clearly defining operational problems and then work with industry to find solutions.

> *“We must start with the problem, not the product,” Ommundsen said.*

That approach opens the door to innovation from both traditional defence companies and civilian firms that may offer solutions the military has not considered. The challenge is not a lack of ideas. It is turning promising concepts into operational capabilities before technology or threats evolve again.

![Forsvarskonferansen 2026 - Foto Lars Bugge Aarset Fremtidens Industri (169)](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/hs-fs/hubfs/Forsvarskonferansen%202026%20-%20Foto%20Lars%20Bugge%20Aarset%20Fremtidens%20Industri%20(169).jpg?width=6000&height=4000&name=Forsvarskonferansen%202026%20-%20Foto%20Lars%20Bugge%20Aarset%20Fremtidens%20Industri%20(169).jpg)  
Major General Frode Ommundsen, Head of the Norwegian Home Guard. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarsaet/Fremtidens Industri

## Ukraine has changed the rules

All three commanders pointed to Ukraine as the clearest example of how quickly modern warfare is changing. According to Nielsen, defence planning can no longer follow the five- or ten-year timelines that were common just two decades ago.

> *“The ability to detect, analyse, decide and act faster than the opponent is today the difference between failure and success on the battlefield,” he said.*

Ukraine has demonstrated how new technologies can move from development to operational use in a matter of months. Ommundsen said the most important lesson is the speed of adaptation itself.

> *“Ukraine has had to develop, test, use, sometimes fail, learn and change while the war is ongoing,” he said.*

The commanders agreed that military organisations must become more willing to experiment, accept calculated risk and involve operational users earlier in the development process.

![Forsvarskonferansen 2026 - Foto Lars Bugge Aarset Fremtidens Industri (162)-1](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/hs-fs/hubfs/Forsvarskonferansen%202026%20-%20Foto%20Lars%20Bugge%20Aarset%20Fremtidens%20Industri%20(162)-1.jpg?width=6000&height=4000&name=Forsvarskonferansen%202026%20-%20Foto%20Lars%20Bugge%20Aarset%20Fremtidens%20Industri%20(162)-1.jpg)  
Major General Gunner Arpe Nielsen, Commander of the Danish Home Guard.  Photo: Lars Bugge Aarsaet/Fremtidens Industri

## Industry must become a strategic partner

The discussion repeatedly returned to the role of industry. According to Nielsen, resilience depends not only on military forces, but also on production capacity, supply chains and the ability to scale manufacturing during a crisis.

> *“There is no deterrence without industry,” Nielsen said.*

Denmark is increasingly pursuing long-term partnerships in which industry acts as a strategic partner rather than simply a supplier. Sweden is experimenting with similar approaches through initiatives that invite companies to test solutions against real military challenges and shorten the path from demonstration to procurement.

The commanders also stressed the importance of making it easier for small and medium-sized companies to work with the armed forces. Many innovative ideas originate outside the established defence industry, but smaller firms often struggle to navigate military procurement systems.

![Forsvarskonferansen 2026 - Foto Lars Bugge Aarset Fremtidens Industri (149)](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/hs-fs/hubfs/Forsvarskonferansen%202026%20-%20Foto%20Lars%20Bugge%20Aarset%20Fremtidens%20Industri%20(149).jpg?width=6000&height=4000&name=Forsvarskonferansen%202026%20-%20Foto%20Lars%20Bugge%20Aarset%20Fremtidens%20Industri%20(149).jpg)  
Major General Mattias Ardin. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri

## The Home Guard advantage

One advantage shared by the Nordic Home Guards is their close connection to civilian society. Home Guard personnel bring expertise from fields such as technology, engineering, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, creating a direct link between military needs and civilian competence.

> *“The magic of the Home Guard is the people,” Ommundsen said during the panel discussion, describing the Home Guard as “the glue in the defence system.”*

The commanders highlighted how reservists and volunteers can help accelerate innovation because they understand both operational challenges and technological possibilities. That combination is becoming increasingly valuable as armed forces seek to strengthen resilience and adapt more quickly.

![Forsvarskonferansen 2026 - Foto Lars Bugge Aarset Fremtidens Industri (177)](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/hs-fs/hubfs/Forsvarskonferansen%202026%20-%20Foto%20Lars%20Bugge%20Aarset%20Fremtidens%20Industri%20(177).jpg?width=6000&height=4000&name=Forsvarskonferansen%202026%20-%20Foto%20Lars%20Bugge%20Aarset%20Fremtidens%20Industri%20(177).jpg)  
Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri

## Thinking Nordic

The panel also highlighted growing Nordic cooperation following Sweden's accession to NATO. Ommundsen argued that the Nordic countries should think collectively from the outset when developing future capabilities.

> *“We should think Nordic from the outset,” Ommundsen said.*

That includes common requirements, closer industrial cooperation and stronger regional supply chains. While the Swedish, Danish and Norwegian Home Guards have different structures, the commanders agreed that they share the same mission: connecting defence, society and industry in a rapidly changing security environment.

Ultimately, the question is whether the Nordic countries can develop new capabilities faster than the threats they face.

> *“That is the challenge we must face together,” Ommundsen concluded.*

![Forsvarskonferansen 2026 - Foto Lars Bugge Aarset Fremtidens Industri (186)](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/hs-fs/hubfs/Forsvarskonferansen%202026%20-%20Foto%20Lars%20Bugge%20Aarset%20Fremtidens%20Industri%20(186).jpg?width=6000&height=4000&name=Forsvarskonferansen%202026%20-%20Foto%20Lars%20Bugge%20Aarset%20Fremtidens%20Industri%20(186).jpg)  
Panel discussion led by Jan Erik Larsen. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri

[Sweden](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/en/news/tag/sweden), [Home guard](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/en/news/tag/home-guard), [Forsvarskonferansen](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/en/news/tag/forsvarskonferansen), [Denmark](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/en/news/tag/denmark), [Norway](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/en/news/tag/norway)

## Read On

### [Delta-Ray joins NORDSEC Drone technology company Delta-Ray has joined the NORDSEC Defence and Security Cluster. The company...](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/en/news/delta-ray-joins-nordsec?hsLang=en)

### [Ukrainian-Latvian drone-company establishes presence in Trondheim and joins NORDSEC NORDSEC Defence and Security Cluster welcomes DK NEJET as a new member. The Ukrainian-Latvian...](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/en/news/ukrainian-latvian-drone-company-establishes-presence-in-trondheim-and-joins-nordsec?hsLang=en)

### [Nestor Norge joins NORDSEC Nordic Defence and Security Cluster NORDSEC Nordic Defence and Security Cluster has welcomed Nestor Norge as a new member,...](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/en/news/nestor-norge-joins-nordsec-nordic-defence-and-security-cluster?hsLang=en)

### Main partners

![ATEA.OL\_BIG.D](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/hs-fs/hubfs/ATEA.OL_BIG.D.png?width=1558&height=402&name=ATEA.OL_BIG.D.png)

![Radionor\_logo\_farger\_hvit\_RGB](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/hs-fs/hubfs/Radionor_logo_farger_hvit_RGB.png?width=4582&height=1434&name=Radionor_logo_farger_hvit_RGB.png)

![Logo\_fastn├©kkel\_negativ](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/hs-fs/hubfs/Logo_fastn%E2%94%9C%C2%A9kkel_negativ.png?width=1280&height=275&name=Logo_fastn%E2%94%9C%C2%A9kkel_negativ.png)

![Sopra-Steria\_logo\_RGB\_white-color](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/hs-fs/hubfs/Sopra-Steria_logo_RGB_white-color.png?width=739&height=96&name=Sopra-Steria_logo_RGB_white-color.png)

---

### Contributing partners

![FI\_logoB\_slag1-2](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/hs-fs/hubfs/FI_logoB_slag1-2.png?width=2022&height=354&name=FI_logoB_slag1-2.png)

![in-logo-nor-hvit-1024x440](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/hs-fs/hubfs/in-logo-nor-hvit-1024x440.png?width=1024&height=440&name=in-logo-nor-hvit-1024x440.png)

![Norwegian Innovation Clusters logo2](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/hs-fs/hubfs/Norwegian%20Innovation%20Clusters%20logo2.png?width=2921&height=1529&name=Norwegian%20Innovation%20Clusters%20logo2.png)

![NTNU logo white](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/hs-fs/hubfs/NTNU%20logo%20white.png?width=1675&height=322&name=NTNU%20logo%20white.png)

![PRONEO\_logovariant6](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/hs-fs/hubfs/PRONEO_logovariant6.png?width=255&height=73&name=PRONEO_logovariant6.png)

![siva\_logo2018\_neg](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/hs-fs/hubfs/siva_logo2018_neg.webp?width=1200&height=534&name=siva_logo2018_neg.webp)

![sintef\_logo](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/hs-fs/hubfs/sintef_logo.png?width=1000&height=500&name=sintef_logo.png)

![Forskningsradet\_Logo\_Engelsk\_01\_Waals\_RGB](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/hs-fs/hubfs/Forskningsradet_Logo_Engelsk_01_Waals_RGB.png?width=3137&height=1044&name=Forskningsradet_Logo_Engelsk_01_Waals_RGB.png)

![TRFK logo hvir](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/hs-fs/hubfs/TRFK%20logo%20hvir.png?width=640&height=180&name=TRFK%20logo%20hvir.png)

![sme-d-logo-white](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/hs-fs/hubfs/sme-d-logo-white.png?width=1000&height=304&name=sme-d-logo-white.png)

![amyna-logo](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/hs-fs/hubfs/amyna-logo.webp?width=1157&height=476&name=amyna-logo.webp)

![DDElogovalkoinenvalmis](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/hs-fs/hubfs/DDElogovalkoinenvalmis.png?width=1963&height=828&name=DDElogovalkoinenvalmis.png)

![IUC-Jamtland-Harjedalen\_kvadrat\_vit](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/hs-fs/hubfs/IUC-Jamtland-Harjedalen_kvadrat_vit.png?width=1783&height=746&name=IUC-Jamtland-Harjedalen_kvadrat_vit.png)

![Savo-logo](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/hs-fs/hubfs/Savo-logo.png?width=500&height=299&name=Savo-logo.png)

---

© 2026 NORDSEC - Nordic Defence and Security Cluster

[![logo\_forsvarskonferansen26\_hvit\_fargesymbol](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/hubfs/logo_forsvarskonferansen26_hvit_fargesymbol.png "logo_forsvarskonferansen26_hvit_fargesymbol")](https://www.nordsec-conference.no/)

[![FI\_logo\_PB\_hvit](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/hubfs/FI_logo_PB_hvit.png "FI_logo_PB_hvit")](https://www.nordsec-conference.no/)

[Follow us on Twitter](https://www.linkedin.com/company/nordsec-cluster) [Follow us on Instagram](mailto:nordsec@fi-nor.no)

[Subscribe to the newsletter](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/newsletter?hsLang=en)

![back-to-top](https://f.hubspotusercontent00.net/hubfs/7712601/back-to-top.png)

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Lars Bugge Aarset",
    "url" : "https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/en/news/author/lars-bugge-aarset"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2026-09-28T08:48:56.004Z",
  "datePublished" : "2026-09-28T08:30:51.000Z",
  "headline" : "Speed is the new capability: Nordic Home Guard leaders call for faster innovation",
  "image" : [ "https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/hubfs/Forsvarskonferansen%202026%20-%20Foto%20Lars%20Bugge%20Aarset%20Fremtidens%20Industri%20(174).jpg" ],
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/en/news/speed-is-the-new-capability-nordic-home-guard-leaders-call-for-faster-innovation",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  },
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/hubfs/Nordsec_logo_and_tag_white_side_pb_oransj.png"
    },
    "name" : "NORDSEC Defence and Security Cluster"
  }
}
```