Weapons export unchanged for 2011

The value of Norwegian exports of military equipment was almost identical for the years 2010 and 2011, coming to a total of NOK 2.6 billion per year.

Exports to the USA were halved, while sales to Switzerland, Turkey and Sweden increased the most.

Based on customs declarations, Norwegian exports of military equipment amounted to NOK 2.6 billion in 2011. This was just NOK 4 million lower than the 2010 values.

However, the relative spread between commodity groups did change somewhat.

Export values for the group ammunition and parts doubled to a total of NOK 403 million compared to the previous year, while military weapons and parts declined by a little over 7 per cent.

The latter was still the largest of all commodity groups, with values amounting to NOK 1.4 billion in 2011.

Export values for the second largest group of bombs, grenades, torpedoes, mines, rockets and similar military equipment including spare parts amounted to NOK 845 million for the same year.

The USA was still our largest trade partner in military equipment in 2011, followed by Switzerland and Sweden. Export values to the USA came to NOK 712 million; a decrease of almost 50 per cent compared to 2010. This could reflect changed purchase strategies in light of the current budgeting situation facing the American economy. On the other hand, we exported more to Switzerland and Sweden in 2011, with increases of NOK 173 million and NOK 132 million respectively.

The “newcomer” Turkey grew by NOK 166 million, and thus became the 5^{t h} largest recipient of Norwegian weapons exports in 2011, following France. Exports to Germany were relatively stable, showing a slight decrease of about NOK 40 million.

(Aftenposten/Press release)

Thursday, 02 February 2012 07:50