Increased export of Norwegian arms

The value of Norwegian arms export has trebled over the last five years. The partly state-owned Kongsberg Group and Nammo alone have exported arms and ammunition worth NOK 12.5 billion since 2004.

This is reported by the financial newspaper Dagens Næringsliv, based on figures from Statistics Norway.

In 2009 alone, Norway exported defence material worth 4.8 billion, an increase by 17 per cent from the year before.

The Kongsberg Group alone has entered into contracts with the US Army worth NOK 11.7 billion since 2007, but the weapon system in question is produced in the US.

Of Mammo's turnover, 41 per cent is with US customers. In 2007 Mammo acquired the US arms producer Talley, and is today the leading producer in the US of hand-held arms like the anti-tank rocket M72.

(NRK)

Sunday, 22 August 2010 07:07