The Swedish export of military equipment amounted to approximately 29 billion kronor in 2024, which is an increase of around 63 percent compared to 2023.
"We can now clearly see how the deteriorated security situation is affecting military equipment exports. The increase compared to 2023 is exceptional," says ISP's Director-General Carl Johan Wieslander.
Over 70 percent of the exports went to countries within the EU and other cooperative countries in the defense and security policy area. However, the United Arab Emirates tops the list of the year's largest recipients, followed by the USA and Brazil.
Expected to Increase
To the United Arab Emirates, the airborne radar system Globaleye was delivered during the year, worth approximately six billion kronor. The export to the USA included, among other things, marine artillery systems and armored vehicles. The deliveries to Brazil mainly consisted of Jas Gripen fighter jet systems.
The military equipment export is expected to be extensive for a long time to come, according to ISP. In 2024, new export permits were issued for exports that will take place in the coming years.
The total value of these permits is significantly higher than last year. It is clear that the industry needs to scale up its operations to meet the increasing demand, says David Åhlén, head of the military equipment unit at ISP.
Benefits Sweden
The Swedish-owned defense company Saab is Sweden's largest producer and exporter of military equipment, but according to David Åhlén, Sweden also benefits from the success of foreign-owned companies.
If the foreign-owned defense companies have thick order books, it provides jobs in Sweden and tax revenues, and in many cases, the intellectual property rights to what they produce are also Swedish, he says.
However, not everyone views the increased arms export positively.
"Many are now highlighting the arms industry as a tool for freedom and democracy. This is grossly misleading, and this statistic clearly shows how the Swedish arms industry's export supports and strengthens also undemocratic regimes, including several dictatorships, among which the United Arab Emirates was Sweden's largest arms customer in 2024," says Linda Åkerström, policy chief at Svenska Freds, in a press release.
(Amounts in millions of kronor)
1. United Arab Emirates 6,153 Airborne radar system
2. USA 4,583 Marine artillery systems, armored vehicles
3. Brazil 2,569 Fighter jets
4. Hungary 2,383 Leasing of fighter jets
5. Germany 2,066 Parts for missile systems, marine command systems
6. Poland 1,121 Airborne radar system, ground combat systems
7. Netherlands 956 Combat vehicles
8. India 917 Grenade launchers and accompanying ammunition
9. United Kingdom 821 Radar system, parts for missile systems
10. Czech Republic 788 Leasing of fighter jets
Source: Inspektionen för strategiska produkter, ISP
