Elbit Systems Plans Laser Warning Production Center in Sweden

Elbit Systems plans to establish its first European production and maintenance center for Laser Warning Systems (LWS) in Sweden, expanding its industrial presence and technical support capabilities for European and NATO customers. The Israeli defense group announced the initiative on October 14, 2026, with operations expected to begin in 2027.

The facility will support local assembly, integration, maintenance and lifecycle services for next-generation passive laser warning systems. Elbit Systems Sweden AB will lead the initiative as part of the company's expansion into European defense manufacturing and military platform protection technologies.

Swedish Facility to Support European Production and Maintenance

The planned center will provide European customers with regional capabilities for assembling and maintaining laser warning equipment, reducing reliance on production and support facilities outside Europe.

Elbit expects the facility to improve equipment availability, shorten delivery timelines and provide long-term technical support for military operators. The company also plans to transfer relevant technology and develop local industrial expertise through its Swedish subsidiary.

Unlike a dedicated manufacturing plant producing complete military platforms, the center will focus on specialized electronic protection equipment and its integration into existing defense systems.

Elbit has not disclosed the investment value, production capacity, exact facility location or number of additional employees associated with the project.

Laser Warning Systems Detect Targeting Threats

The new center will focus on Elbit's next generation of passive Laser Warning Systems, designed to detect and locate laser emissions associated with military targeting equipment.

Laser warning sensors can identify when a vehicle or another protected platform is illuminated by equipment such as laser rangefinders, target designators or beam-riding guidance systems. This provides crews with information about a potential threat and additional time to take protective action.

The sensors do not function as laser weapons. Instead, they form part of a platform's self-protection architecture, supporting threat identification and coordination with other defensive equipment.

Elbit's existing laser warning product family includes the E-LAWS system and related threat detection technologies. The company advertises 360-degree horizontal coverage for its established vehicle warning solutions, along with integration options for defensive countermeasures and command systems.

According to the October announcement, the new generation uses a decentralized architecture intended to reduce component requirements and simplify integration into existing military platforms. Elbit has not released detailed performance specifications for the particular models that will be assembled in Sweden.

Elbit Expands Its Existing Swedish Defense Operations

Elbit Systems Sweden was established in 2020 and currently employs more than 100 people across the country. The subsidiary already operates as a regional center for military communications, digitalization and systems integration.

In October 2023, Elbit secured an approximately $170 million contract to serve as an integration partner for the Swedish Army's LSS Mark digitalization program. The 10-year agreement covers the integration, installation, maintenance and modernization of tactical command-and-control systems across military platforms.

The company subsequently expanded its Swedish networking activities. In June 2026, Elbit Systems Sweden reported completing a two-week demonstration involving 120 connected network nodes, including military vehicles, soldiers, sensors and command posts.

The planned laser warning center therefore adds a specialized electronics production and sustainment capability to an established Swedish business.

Elbit also supplies other protection technologies to European militaries. In January 2026, AdriaDefense reported on the company's Iron Fist active protection system contracts for European CV90 infantry fighting vehicles.

Although both technologies contribute to military platform survivability, laser warning sensors provide threat detection while active protection systems use separate mechanisms to intercept incoming weapons.

First European Center Expected to Operate in 2027

The Swedish project represents Elbit's first European production and maintenance center specifically dedicated to Laser Warning Systems. The company already has other industrial and technical activities across the continent.

Elbit Systems Sweden CEO Tobias Wennberg identified local production, technology transfer and long-term support for European customers as central objectives of the initiative.

However, the October announcement did not identify initial customers, confirmed equipment orders or binding investment commitments associated with the facility.

The next milestones will be confirmation of the site's location, the start of industrial operations and identification of the first systems or customer programs supported from Sweden.

Key Questions

When will Elbit's Swedish laser warning center open?

Elbit Systems expects the facility to become operational in 2027, although it has not announced a specific opening date.

What will the Swedish center produce?

The center will support the local assembly, integration, maintenance and lifecycle support of passive Laser Warning Systems used in military platform protection.

Has Elbit disclosed the investment value?

No. The company has not announced a project budget, annual production capacity or additional employment figures.

Is this Elbit's first defense facility in Europe?

No. It will be Elbit's first European production and maintenance center specifically for Laser Warning Systems, building on existing operations in Sweden and other European countries.