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Mon, 26 Oct, 2015 12:08:18 AM FTimes – STT Report, Oct 26  File Photo – Lehtikuva. A new SaferGlobe Research Network arms control report has revealed that Finnish exports of arms outside the European Union have increased.
Major arms deals were conducted last year between Finland and countries such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey.
Saudi Arabia is now one of Finland’s biggest arms trade partners.
Defence equipment manufacturer Patria has sold Nemo grenade launchers worth 50 million euros, among other things, to Saudi Arabia.
A Saudi-led coalition since March 2015 has been carrying out airstrikes in Yemen. Besides the general tension in the Arabian Peninsula, Saudi Arabia’s human rights situation has aroused concern.
“Generally speaking, when arms are exported, it is difficult to monitor anymore what those weapons are used for,” remarked Kari Paasonen, SaferGlobe’s editor-in-chief of the Finnish arms control report.
According to the organisation’s statistics, the Finnish exports value in 2013 was greater than at any time, with arms export value totalling 224 million euros. The figure of arms export was almost the same last year at 223 million euros.
In 2013 and 2014, the total export was significantly impacted by Patria’s armoured vehicle exports to Sweden. In 2014, armoured vehicles worth 115 million euros were exported to Sweden.
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Finland Times
| Friday, 26 April, 2024 |
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