(NSI News Source Info) STOCKHOLM - March 4, 2009: Swedish weapons and defense exports surged 32 percent in 2008 to 12.7 billion kronor ($1.4 billion, 1.1 billion euros), the Inspectorate of Strategic Products (ISP) said Tuesday. 
The Saab JAS 39 Gripen is a 4.5 generation fighter aircraft manufactured by the Swedish aerospace company Saab. Gripen International acts as a prime contracting organisation and is responsible for marketing, selling and supporting the Gripen fighter around the world.
The aircraft is in service with the Swedish Air Force, the Czech Air Force, the Hungarian Air Force and the South African Air Force, and has been ordered by the Royal Thai Air Force. A total of 236 Gripens have been ordered as of 2008.
The increase was attributed mainly to several large sales such as deliveries of the JAS Gripen fighter jet to South Africa, tanks to the Netherlands and Denmark, and the Erieye airborne radar system to Greece and Pakistan.
"Of Sweden's total defense materiel exports, about 87 percent went to well-established cooperation partners within the European Union, and to countries such as Australia and the United States," ISP director general Andreas Ekman said in a statement.
Exports representing 13 percent of the total value went to about 20 countries, including Pakistan, India, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, Chile and Saudi Arabia.
According to Swedish news agency TT, Sweden's weapons exports make up almost two percent of the world's overall weapons sales.
The Saab JAS 39 Gripen is a 4.5 generation fighter aircraft manufactured by the Swedish aerospace company Saab. Gripen International acts as a prime contracting organisation and is responsible for marketing, selling and supporting the Gripen fighter around the world.
The aircraft is in service with the Swedish Air Force, the Czech Air Force, the Hungarian Air Force and the South African Air Force, and has been ordered by the Royal Thai Air Force. A total of 236 Gripens have been ordered as of 2008.
The increase was attributed mainly to several large sales such as deliveries of the JAS Gripen fighter jet to South Africa, tanks to the Netherlands and Denmark, and the Erieye airborne radar system to Greece and Pakistan.
"Of Sweden's total defense materiel exports, about 87 percent went to well-established cooperation partners within the European Union, and to countries such as Australia and the United States," ISP director general Andreas Ekman said in a statement.
Exports representing 13 percent of the total value went to about 20 countries, including Pakistan, India, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, Chile and Saudi Arabia.
According to Swedish news agency TT, Sweden's weapons exports make up almost two percent of the world's overall weapons sales.
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