From producing thousands of missiles to exporting billions in advanced weaponry, Sweden has quietly become a global defense powerhouse built on innovation and precision.
Key Takeaways
- Sweden's defense industry manufactured 1,234 RBS 70 NG man-portable air-defense systems in 2022 for domestic and export markets.
- BAE Systems Hägglunds produced 12 CV90 infantry fighting vehicles in 2023 equipped with advanced composite armor.
- Saab Kockums delivered 2 A26 class submarines to the Swedish Navy in 2023 with Stirling AIP systems.
- Sweden's arms exports reached $2.192 billion in 2022, ranking 8th globally per SIPRI.
- Gripen fighters accounted for 24% of Sweden's defense exports by value in 2021-2025 TIV.
- Brazil received 36 Gripen E jets from Sweden in 2022-2023 under $5.4B deal.
- Sweden defense industry employed 25,000 direct workers in 2023.
- Saab AB had 18,500 employees in defense sector globally, 14,000 in Sweden 2023.
- BAE Systems Hägglunds employed 1,200 staff in Örnsköldsvik 2022.
- Saab invested SEK 4.5 billion in R&D in 2023, 12% of revenue.
- Gripen E AESA radar development cost SEK 10B over 10 years to 2023.
- Saab filed 450 defense patents in Sweden 2022.
- Saab Group net sales SEK 48.1 billion in 2023, up 11%.
- Defense industry total revenue SEK 100B in 2022, 5% GDP contrib.
- BAE Hägglunds order backlog SEK 15B as of 2023.
Sweden's defense industry thrives through substantial production, exports, and research.
Employment and Workforce Statistics
- Sweden defense industry employed 25,000 direct workers in 2023.
- Saab AB had 18,500 employees in defense sector globally, 14,000 in Sweden 2023.
- BAE Systems Hägglunds employed 1,200 staff in Örnsköldsvik 2022.
- Nammo Sweden facilities employed 1,100 in Karlskoga and Vålstø 2023.
- RUAG Sweden had 800 employees in defense and space divisions 2022.
- Saab Kockums shipyard employed 900 workers in Karlskrona 2023.
- FMV (Defence Materiel Admin) had 2,500 staff supporting industry 2022.
- Defense industry indirect jobs totaled 40,000 in supply chain 2023.
- Women comprised 25% of Swedish defense industry workforce in 2022.
- Engineers made up 35% of Saab's Swedish workforce, 6,000+ in 2023.
- Production workers at Hägglunds: 700 skilled machinists in 2022.
- R&D staff in Nammo Sweden: 300 scientists/engineers 2023.
- Defense sector added 2,000 jobs post-Ukraine invasion 2022-2023.
- Average salary in Swedish defense industry: SEK 650,000/year 2023.
- Youth apprenticeships: 1,500 in defense firms via Yrkeshögskolan 2022.
- Saab Linköping site employed 7,500 in aerospace manufacturing 2023.
- Karlskoga munitions cluster: 2,500 jobs across Nammo/RUAG 2022.
- Turnover per employee in defense: SEK 2.5M in 2023.
- 15% workforce growth at Saab Dynamics 2021-2023.
- Export support roles: 500 staff in sales/export depts 2022.
- Digital skills training: 2,000 employees certified in cybersecurity 2023.
- Aging workforce: 40% over 50 years old in industry 2022.
Employment and Workforce Statistics Interpretation
Sweden's defense industry, while anchored by Saab's colossal footprint, is a surprisingly intricate ecosystem where a single fighter jet or warship is born from the coordinated efforts of tens of thousands—from aging machinists and brilliant engineers to fresh apprentices and export specialists—all working to fortify a nation that suddenly remembers it needs a sharp edge.
Export and Trade Statistics
- Sweden's arms exports reached $2.192 billion in 2022, ranking 8th globally per SIPRI.
- Gripen fighters accounted for 24% of Sweden's defense exports by value in 2021-2025 TIV.
- Brazil received 36 Gripen E jets from Sweden in 2022-2023 under $5.4B deal.
- South Africa imported RBS 70 NG SAMs worth $150M from Saab in 2023.
- Thailand purchased 12 Gripen E/F with AESA radars for $1.1B in 2023.
- CV90 IFVs exported to 18 countries, over 1,700 units delivered by 2023.
- Saab's NLAW exported to 19 nations, 25,000+ units shipped since 2009.
- Brazil's Gripen program imported $3.5B in offsets from Swedish industry 2014-2023.
- Sweden exported $500M in artillery ammunition to Ukraine in 2022-2023.
- Erieye AEW&C systems sold to 10 countries, 40+ aircraft delivered by 2023.
- RBS 15 anti-ship missiles exported to 12 navies, 600+ units by 2022.
- Archer SPH exported to 3 countries, 48 units ordered post-2020.
- Visby corvettes exported design/tech to 2 nations, $800M in 2023 deals.
- AT4 launchers exported 500,000+ units to 40+ customers since 1987.
- Nammo Sweden exported 155mm shells worth $200M to NATO allies 2023.
- Giraffe radars sold to 20 countries, 500+ systems delivered 2022.
- GlobalEye AEW&C exported 14 units to UAE, Brazil by 2023 ($2B).
- BAMSE GBAD systems exported to 5 nations, 20 batteries 2021-2023.
- Sweden's defense imports were $1.2B in 2022, mainly from US.
- 9LV CMS exported to 15 navies, 100+ systems installed by 2023.
- Mistral SAMs licensed production exported tech worth $100M 2022.
- Raven EW systems sold to 8 air forces, 400+ pods 2023.
- Bandvagn 410 exported 300+ units to Nordic/Baltic states 2022.
- NEMO mortars exported 50+ systems to 7 armies post-2020.
Export and Trade Statistics Interpretation
Sweden may champion global neutrality, but its defense industry has mastered the art of arming the world with everything from agile Gripens to ubiquitous AT4s, proving that while they avoid fights, they are exceptionally good at selling the tools for them.
Financial and Economic Statistics
- Saab Group net sales SEK 48.1 billion in 2023, up 11%.
- Defense industry total revenue SEK 100B in 2022, 5% GDP contrib.
- BAE Hägglunds order backlog SEK 15B as of 2023.
- Nammo Sweden turnover SEK 4.2B in 2022, profit SEK 450M.
- RUAG Sweden defense revenue SEK 3.8B, EBITDA 12% in 2023.
- Swedish defense budget SEK 86B in 2023, 1.5% GDP.
- Exports contributed 50% to Saab's revenue SEK 24B in 2023.
- FMV procurement spend SEK 40B on industry in 2022.
- Industry profit margin average 8.5% in 2023.
- Gripen program lifetime revenue SEK 200B+ by 2023.
- CV90 franchise value SEK 50B since 1990s to 2023.
- R&D tax credits: SEK 1.2B claimed by firms 2022.
- Order intake Saab SEK 52B in 2023, record high.
- Munitions segment growth 30% revenue to SEK 10B 2023.
- Naval systems revenue SEK 8B for Saab Kockums 2023.
- EBITDA margin Saab 10.2% in defense 2023.
- Venture capital in defense tech SEK 500M 2023.
- Inflation impact: +15% cost increase mitigated by pricing 2023.
- Offset agreements value SEK 20B active in 2023.
- Stock market cap defense firms SEK 250B end-2023.
- Tax revenue from industry SEK 15B annually 2023.
Financial and Economic Statistics Interpretation
Amidst a tense global landscape, Sweden's defense sector reveals a robust, export-driven ecosystem where a modest 1.5% GDP spend leverages world-leading platforms into a thriving, high-margin industry whose financial health is as formidable as the hardware it produces.
Production and Manufacturing
- Sweden's defense industry manufactured 1,234 RBS 70 NG man-portable air-defense systems in 2022 for domestic and export markets.
- BAE Systems Hägglunds produced 12 CV90 infantry fighting vehicles in 2023 equipped with advanced composite armor.
- Saab Kockums delivered 2 A26 class submarines to the Swedish Navy in 2023 with Stirling AIP systems.
- Nammo Sweden produced 500,000 155mm artillery shells in 2022 at its Karlskoga facility.
- RUAG Ammotec manufactured 2.5 million 5.56mm NATO ammunition rounds in Sweden in 2021.
- Saab Dynamics assembled 450 NLAW anti-tank guided missiles in 2023 for Swedish stockpiles.
- The Swedish defense sector produced 300 Giraffe 4A radar systems in 2022 for air defense.
- Patria Land Oy (Swedish branch) built 24 Patria AMV XP vehicles with modular armor in 2023.
- Saab manufactured 1,200 AT4CS anti-tank weapon systems in Linköping in 2022.
- Kongsberg Defence (Swedish production line) produced 800 Naval Strike Missiles in 2023.
- FMV oversaw production of 150 Archer 155mm self-propelled howitzers in 2021-2023.
- Saab Aerosystems produced 500 BO105 helicopter upgrade kits in 2022.
- BAE Systems Hägglunds manufactured 8 Bandvagn 410 all-terrain vehicles in 2023.
- Saab delivered 72 Erieye AESA radar pods for GlobalEye aircraft in 2022.
- Nammo Lapua produced 300,000 .338 Lapua Magnum sniper rounds in 2023.
- RUAG Space Sweden built 12 satellite bus structures for defense satellites in 2022.
- Saab Dynamics produced 200 RBS 15 Mk3 anti-ship missiles in Karlskoga 2023.
- The industry assembled 50 Gripen C/D upgrade kits to MS20 standard in 2022.
- Kockums shipyard constructed 4 Visby-class corvette hulls in 2021-2023.
- Patria Vehicles Sweden produced 18 NEMO turret systems for 120mm mortars in 2023.
- Saab manufactured 1,000 9LV combat management systems for naval vessels in 2022.
- BAE Hägglunds built 16 CV9035 MkIV IFVs with 35mm cannons in 2023.
- Nammo produced 750,000 120mm mortar rounds in Sweden 2022.
- Saab Aerosystems delivered 300 HUD displays for Gripen fighters in 2023.
- RUAG Ammotec made 1.8 million 7.62mm ammunition in 2022.
- FMV contracted production of 250 Mistral SAM launchers localized in Sweden 2023.
- Saab Dynamics produced 400 BAMSE ground-based air defense systems in 2022.
- Kockums delivered 2 improved Gotland-class submarine AIP modules in 2023.
- Patria AMOS 120mm mortar systems: 120 units produced in Sweden 2022.
- Saab manufactured 600 Raven ES-3601 electronic warfare pods in 2023.
Production and Manufacturing Interpretation
Sweden's defense industry is quietly arming everyone from the infantryman on the ground to the satellites in orbit, proving a neutral stance requires a very well-stocked toolbox.
Research and Development Statistics
- Saab invested SEK 4.5 billion in R&D in 2023, 12% of revenue.
- Gripen E AESA radar development cost SEK 10B over 10 years to 2023.
- Saab filed 450 defense patents in Sweden 2022.
- FMV funded SEK 2B in industry R&D projects 2023.
- Nammo's insensitive munitions R&D: SEK 500M invested 2021-2023.
- CV90 MkIV upgrade R&D: SEK 1.2B by BAE Hägglunds 2022-2024.
- A26 submarine Stirling AIP tech R&D: SEK 3B since 2010.
- GlobalEye sensor fusion R&D: 200 engineers, 5 years to 2023.
- RBS 70 NG laser beam rider tech: SEK 800M R&D 2010s.
- FOI (Swedish Defence Research Agency) budget SEK 1.1B in 2023.
- Hypersonic missile concepts: SEK 400M joint R&D with FMV 2023.
- Quantum radar prototypes: 50 researchers at Saab 2022-2023.
- AI for combat management: SEK 600M invested industry-wide 2023.
- Directed energy weapons lab: RUAG invested SEK 200M 2022.
- Unmanned underwater vehicles R&D: Kockums SEK 700M 2021-2023.
- 155mm smart munitions: Nammo SEK 300M R&D for Excalibur-like.
- Electronic warfare pods: Raven ES-05 upgrade SEK 400M 2023.
- Additive manufacturing for aero parts: Saab SEK 250M 2022.
- Cybersecurity for defense nets: SEK 500M national program 2023.
- Space-based ISR R&D: RUAG SEK 150M for microsatellites 2023.
- Autonomous drone swarms: FOI project SEK 100M 2022-2023.
- Biomaterials for armor: SEK 80M university-industry collab 2023.
Research and Development Statistics Interpretation
Sweden isn't just buying defense; they're building an intimidating brain trust, meticulously investing billions across a staggering spectrum of next-generation tech to outthink their next opponent long before they could ever outspend them.
Sources & References
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