New solutions for front-line logistics

Hello there, Roland Hellberg, Senior Lecturer in war studies. You are part of the project Eira X – Forward logistics on the transparent battlefield, which has received a grant of SEK 2.9 million from Vinnova.

What is the Eira X project about?
“The project focuses on how we can conduct front-line logistics in a battlespace that has become significantly more transparent. With today’s sensors, drones, and electronic warfare, it is difficult to operate close to the front without being detected. Eira X aims to develop a concept for a light, protected, and flexible unmanned ground vehicle that can be used for the final stretch to the units, that is, in areas where the risks to personnel are normally very high. The vehicles can be used to transport, for example, materiel, ammunition, or medical equipment.”

What is driving the need to develop new systems for logistics near the front line?
“Experiences from Ukraine clearly show that civilian vehicles are often used near the front, but they are quickly destroyed and lack both protection and endurance. At the same time, military vehicles are heavy, expensive, and easy to detect. This creates a gap in which we need better-adapted systems capable of operating in high-intensity and electronically contested environments.”

How does the Swedish Defence University contribute to the project?
“We are responsible for ensuring that the concept is developed on the basis of real operational needs. This means that we contribute knowledge in defence logistics, military operations, and user requirements. We act as a sounding board for both technical and conceptual issues.”

What will your work involve in practical terms?
“In 2026, we will, among other things, validate the project’s results against the requirements of the Swedish Armed Forces and other defence stakeholders. We will also analyse the operational benefits and possible logistical applications in different scenarios. In addition, we help facilitate workshops and dialogues with users and other stakeholders within total defence.”

What impact do you hope the project will have?
“The hope is that we can contribute to a platform that is not only technically advanced, but also practically usable and relevant to the environment in which future conflicts will take place. If we succeed, the system may enhance both safety and effectiveness in front-line logistics.”

The project is led by the company Eira Systems and is carried out in collaboration with the Swedish Defence University, Chalmers University of Technology, Halmstad University, and Volvo Construction Equipment.

Read more about the project on Vinnova’s website: Eira X – Front-line Logistics on the Transparent Battlefield.