Defence and security

Setterwalls has a long history of supporting private and public actors in the defence and security industry.  We are a true full-service firm, which enables us to offer specialist advice in all areas of commercial law.  We are at the forefront of the legal development advising Swedish government institutions, Swedish defence suppliers, and international defence companies entering the Swedish market.

Our client offering covers:

• Government contracts:  Setterwalls advise contractors as well as contracting authorities on large and complex procurement matters. We have particular experience in representing defence companies contracting with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (Sw: Försvarets materielverk) and the Swedish Armed Forces (Sw: Försvarsmakten), as well as in bid protest litigations in the defence sector.
• IP/tech:  Setterwalls advise clients in all relevant areas and industry specific matters, including complex IP and technology transactions, such as license agreements, joint venture agreements, research and development agreements and other collaborations, IT agreements, purchase and/or sales agreements and agreements including restrictions on permitted use. Additionally, we advise our client on cyber security issues as well as on legal issues related to the use of AI. We also advise our clients on IP enforcement and IP protection strategies. In addition, we have experience of industry specific legislation such as the law on defence industry inventions (1971:1078) and have acted on several profile matters requiring security clearance.
• Regulatory:  Setterwalls advise clients on all relevant regulatory compliance issues, including in relation to protective security law, export control, sanctions, anti-money laundering, environmental permits, and regulations in the technology sector, such as the GDPR and other privacy legislation compliance and the implications of the AI act. Moreover, we represent clients in permit application procedures and administrative litigations.
• M&A:  Setterwalls advise foreign as well as domestic defence and dual use companies and investors, and we have significant experience and expertise in the defence sector. We have one of the largest M&A teams in Sweden covering private and public transactions.
• Capital Markets: Setterwalls advise companies, shareholders and investment banks on the full spectrum of Capital Markets and corporate finance transactions, including initial public offerings, rights issues and other secondary capital offerings, block trades and global depositary receipt issuances, as well as on high-profile M&A transactions involving a public equity component. We have vast experience from the defence sectors having acted for foreign as well as domestic defence and dual use companies and investors in relation to capital markets transactions.
• Finance:  Setterwalls advise borrowers and lenders on all aspects of banking and debt transactions in the defence sector.
• Disputes and investigations: Setterwalls advise clients in litigation and arbitration, including disputes relating to the defence and security industry.