Norway big in arms export

www.aftenposten.no ^ | 18 Jan 2006, 12:57 | Aftenposten English Web Desk/NTB

[Kurt_Hectic]

Norway's peacekeeping profile stands in stark contrast to its success as a weapons exporter. New figures show that Norway is the world's biggest arms exporter in relation to its population.

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) figures reveal Norway as a leading arms exporter, with its industry enjoying strong growth.

"The Socialist Left Party's disarmament profile has been pulverized by the Norwegian arms industry and LO (The Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions). An increasing share of Norwegian weapon production is being used in war situations, the export to the USA is colossal," reports financial magazine Økonomisk Rapport.

In five years turnover has increased by 30 percent and the industry sells for NOK 7 billion (USD 1.05 billion) a year and employs around 5,000 people.

According to figures from SIPRI, Norway is the world's biggest arms exporter in relation to its population and the 11th in the world in real terms.

"We have a good relationship with LO, and the Labor Party understands the industry well," said Knut Hundhammer, managing director of the Norwegian Defense and Security Industries Association (FSi).

Related stories: Halvorsen drops Boeing - 05.01.2006 State increases stake in weapons - 24.11.2005

[Kurt_Hectic]

Good for Norway and it's allies!!! The weapons is also of high quality:

http://www.kongsberg.com/eng/KDA/

http://www.nammo.com/

[starfish923]

What weapons do they sell besides ludefisk?

Harhar, couldn't resist!

[GSlob]

Well, Lapua products are among the very best, but that subsidiary of theirs is Finnish.

[alisasny]

Good but in stark constrast to the countries left leanings.

How do they morally rectify their idea for peace vs. suppling arms for warfare?

Btw where in Norway is your family from. I have a dear friend that lives in Tonsberg and have visited this beautiful country several times.

[Covenantor]

The article is a tad misleading..Norway is the world's biggest arms exporter in relation to its population....

It appears that it is primarily munitions, not arms that are being produced. See below

--------------------------------------------------

	Database of Small Arms Production and Transfers Path: Europe : North Europe : Norway : Industry and Products
	Norwegian Small Arms Industry & Products Norwegian defense industry is niche-based, with high competence and advanced production capacities in communication, control and information systems; in missile technologies; and in high explosives. Norwegian arms production is concentrated on licensed production of major weapons systems components for the Norwegian armed forces. In 1992, 10,000 people were employed in Norway in the arms industries. Since January 1996, Norwegian arms exporters have been required to report on actual exports of defense materiel previously authorized by licenses. 32 companies reported exports of defense materiel or related services in 1999. Raufoss and Kongsberg are the two leading military arms manufacturing companies in Norway. In 1997 Raufoss sold military products valued at 423 million NOK (roughly US$55 million). The Norwegian government has the majority stock share in both companies. Raufoss recently merged with Celsius from Sweden and Patria from Finland to form the Nordic Ammunition Company, NAMMO (45 percent owned by Raufoss, 27 percent owned by each Celsius and Patria). Small arms manufacture in Norway is minor, and Norway is currently not a producer of military-style small arms. Raufoss produces small arms caliber ammunition, primarily for the Norwegian army, rather than for export. Historically, Kongsberg has been the principal manufacturer of military-style small arms under license from foreign military firms. In a phone interview in May 1999, the information director of Kongsberg said that all small arms industry from Kongsberg was transferred to Bandak A.S. The information director at Bandak A.S said that Norway stopped producing small arms--even under license--in the late 1980s. The following tables reflect past manufacture, rather than current. Raufoss Technology mortar, 81mm NM 123 high explosive M72A2 and M72A3 rocket launcher (under license from Hesse Eastern Company) M72 750 LAW (under license from NI Industries Inc, Los Angeles) Kongsberg Defense NVT-224 Kongsberg proximity fuse PPD-323 and PPD-324 Kongsberg proximity fuses Colt .45 pistol (direct copy of M1911 and 1911A1; still in use in Norwegian army) G3 rifle (under license from Hechler & Koch) G3 sniping rifle (under license from Hechler & Koch) G3A4 rifle (under license from Hechler & Koch) Source: Jane's publications (Light Weapons, Small Arms and Landmines: An Identification Manual, 1997)

-------------------------------------------------

And the per capita basis for the claim is meaningless as Norway has a population of approx. 4.5 million. There are FReepers that reload that could give Norway a run for the money. ;>)

[Renfield]

ANybody know where I can get a left-hand Kongsberg Mauser? I've been looking for one for a long time...they are scarce as hen's teeth.

[Sometimes A River]

Norway is a huge arms exporter, oil exporter and whale killer.

No wonder why the Lefties always mean "Sweden" when referring to Scandinavian Utopia.

[Sender]

Who was that Socialist lady from Norway who wants to divest from Israel and provide these lovely supplies to the Palestinians?

Hopefully she is in the minority there.

[rahbert]

I have an 1940 vintage M98 they took from the Wehrmacht,
re-arsenaled and rebarreled for 30-06. Beautiful blue
job. Unfortunatly the German laminated stock is not up
to taking the pounding from this round.

[Between the Lines]

Norway's rate of household gun ownership is thirty-two percent, the second highest in the world, led only by the United States' thirty-nine percent.

They also have the lowest murder rate in Europe, while tiny Luxemburg which outlaws all gun ownership has the highest.

[Renfield]

I was looking for the commercially produced, sporting Kongsberg. They are made in a left-hand version, and a few of these were imported into the United States in the late 1990s.

[tomjohn77]

You beat me to this article. At least the trade union knows better than the socialists. Although unions are not necessary anymore and should not be allowed.

[Joe 6-pack]

In his old age, Roland the headless Thompson Gunner became Roland the headless Thompson gun runner.

[Kurt_Hectic]

That was mrs Kristin Halvorsen, but she had to do a 180 on that one...

[Kurt_Hectic]

I'm from Bergen, that is on the west coast, but you're right: Tønsberg is a lovely place...

[Kurt_Hectic]

Yes, but they make a lot of high-end weapon systems too: f ex the kongsberg penguin antiship missile (carried by american seahawk helicopters) and the new NSM (antiship cruise missile)...

[XavierXray]

Now if we could just get that Whale locking mechanism to work I'll be content! :D