The purpose of this paper is to examine how the target to convert the Swedish military aviation industry towards working within the civilian sector was planned and implemented parallel to the target of building a world-class military aircraft. A number of Government bills have been studied, bills directly connected to the JAS-project as well as bills dealing with civilian project ́s for the military aviation industry. The first group includes bills dealing with the JAS-project ́s role in the overarcing defence policy, as well as the Government ́s bill specifying the guidelines for the JAS-project. The other group includes five bills regarding Government funding for civilian projects supporting the military aviation industry ́s transition from the military to the civilian market. The paper shows that the double targets of the JAS-project were separated early on into two simultaneous processes. While the target of developing and producing a new military aircraft was placed within the JAS-project, the target of converting the military aviation industry for the civilian market was directed toward a number of government-supported civilian projects. These civilian projects were based and dependent on cooperation deals between the Swedish aviation industry (Saab aviation and Volvo flygmotor) and two of their American counterparts (Fairchild Industries and General Electric Company). This paper points to the Government having an ambition for the civilian projects to create the base for a stable Swedish civilian aviation industry to which the personnel from the military side of the aviation industry could be transferred once their work on the JAS-project was done. Unfortunately, with the cancellation and changes of the deals with the American aviation industy during the 1980 ́s and the decison by Saab aviation to stop production of commercial aircrafts in 1999, the Government ́s vision of a civilian aviation industry could not be realised. As no Swedish civilian aviation industry had been established the personnel from the development side of the JAS-project would have nowhere to be transferred to (after their part in the project was done). While the Governments target with converting of the aviation industy to save the industries knowledge and expertise was fulfilled in the short term, the ambition to spread this knowledge and expertise to other parts of the Swedish industry and thus make the aviation industry a driving force for the development of Swedish technology industry were not realised.

As neighboring countries, Norway and Sweden are often thought to be very similar. However, the countries' military industries have developed in very different directions. Norway has had a long-term military dependence on the US, and a defense-industrial strategy to avoid direct competition with allied industries. Sweden, on the other hand, has transitioned from being almost military independent to preferring the US as a strategic partner, while the Swedish defense industry still produces equipment that often competes directly with US systems. Previous research has shown a strong relationship between national security strategies on the one hand, and political decisions related to defense acquisition and the alignment of the military-industrial complex on the other. The purpose is to identify differences between Norway's and Sweden's strategic culture that has affected the military industry, intending to improve future collaboration. The problem is solved by a comparative analysis of the two presented case studies of Norway's and Sweden’s respective industrial defense complexes, which suggest that history and cultural roots significantly impact strategic choices. The thesis concludes that strategic culture can explain some observed national differences in the presented cases. Using strategic culture as an analytical tool may thus prove useful when studying national military-industrial complexes and identifying factors that influence strategic choices. Increased knowledge of the origins and nature of differences in military-industrial strategy provides better preconditions for international collaboration in the area. As a result, this thesis will hopefully contribute to improved future collaboration between countries such as Norway and Sweden, when engaged in combined defense acquisition projects.

The intention of this paper is to analyze the impact of a threat environment in the creation of a hi-tech cluster through the development of an independent defense industry. In order to conclude the implications of a military industry in the development of a hi-tech cluster, it was studied the case of the evolution of Israel’s defense industry into a diverse hi – tech industry (Silicon Wadi). This work emerges from a personal concern in order to understand if there are some benefits or positive side effects in developing an indigenous military industry.  Coming from a country in the developing process that has no military forces (Costa Rica) and at the same time has been struggling to create a hi-tech cluster, I wanted to learn what are the implications in the hi-tech sector for lacking an indigenous defense industry and a threat environment. As it will be presented in this study, the major implication of having an independent defense industry is that it creates a path dependency in the military sector and if it’s handled correctly through the cooperation between academia, military forces and business sectors it will be possible to create transitions of this technologies into civilian applications, diversifying the entrance of resources and creating an entrepreneur environment.

Private military and security companies (PMSCs) are established actors in the global militaryindustry. The adaptation to utilize PMSCs as a complement to national militaries has increased their importance significantly. PMSCs have gained attention due to similarities with outlawed mercenary activity, causing legal implications and difficulties regulating them. However, the risks that PMSC recruits experience are not addressed sufficiently. Thus, this study aims to scrutinize and analyze how PMSCs recruitment relates to risk, which risks exist for the recruits, and how the recruits’ origin affects risks. By developing the idea of Risk-Transfer War with the Global South and Global North concept, the study gains insight into how Risk-Transfer can beextended to the private military industry. The study shows that economic, physical, and political risks are present for PMSC recruits, and the recruits from the Global South are the most affectedby them. The globalized private military industry enables countries that utilize PMSCs which recruit from the Global South, to get a cheaper, more flexible workforce with fewer politicalimplications. However, the Global South recruits are paid less than their Northern colleagues, they are getting little to no recognition for their sacrifices while risking their lives for the secompanies in hopes of a better livelihood. By understanding PMSCs and their recruitmentprocesses better, we can adjust issues in current regulations.