Sweden To Shut Down Defense Export Agency

Sweden’s new government has earmarked the closure of its Defense and Security Export Agency Försvarsexportmyndigheten (FXM), the coalition said in a statement on September 30.

Officials said they "agree that arms export controls over non-democracies will be tightened, including follow-on deliveries and consulting services. Defense and Security Export Agency (FXM) closed down."

FXM is a division of the defense ministry primarily played a role of promoting arms exports. It has been responsible in promoting Swedish defense, security and other goods abroad and also sale of surplus military equipment abroad since 2010.

“We think it is an important signal to put down an agency whose purpose is to promote arms exports. Some data will be transferred to other agencies without wanting to go into the tasks involved,” said Maria Ferm, Green Party’s group leader in the parliament.

The acquisition of up to 80 Gripen-E advanced fighters and a new submarine type and modernization of the two Gotland class subs will remain the focus of the new defense-strengthening program.

The closure of FXM will not hamper Sweden’s ability to export defense systems such as combat fighters, submarines or air-surveillance equipment, Ferm said.

The Swedish defense industry has exported $1.62 billion worth weapons and military equipment in 2013 of which 54% of the exports were made to European and US countries.

The rest of the exports were made to 20 other countries that included India, Saudi Arabia and Thailand as the largest export countries.

JAS 39 Gripen to Thailand, maritime command, control and weapons systems to US, Combat vehicles to Norway and Erieye, Saab’s airborne surveillance system to Saudi Arabia constitute the major spending.