Sweden's defense industry supports 85,000 direct jobs. Sector revenue totals 120 billion SEK. The sections below break down employment counts, export volumes, financial results, and research spending by company and category.
Key Takeaways
- Saab AB employed 21,000 people globally in 2023, with 14,500 in Sweden
- Saab AB exported defense materiel worth 14.5 billion SEK in 2022 to 20 countries
- Saab AB achieved net sales of 41.3 billion SEK in 2022, marking a 22% increase from 2021 driven by high demand for Gripen fighters and radar systems
- Saab produced 96 Gripen aircraft for Sweden and exports since 1996
- Saab invested 4.2 billion SEK in R&D in 2022, representing 10% of sales
Swedish defense industry statistics show steady growth in production and exports, supporting national security ambitions.
Related reading
01 · Category
Employment Statistics27 stats
01
Saab AB employed 21,000 people globally in 2023, with 14,500 in Sweden
02
BAE Systems Hägglunds workforce totaled 1,200 employees in Sweden as of 2023
03
Nammo Sweden employed 850 staff in ammunition production sites in 2022
04
Swedish defense industry total employment reached 85,000 jobs in 2023 per FOI
05
Saab Dynamics had 2,800 employees focused on missiles in 2023
06
FMV directly supports 12,000 industry jobs through contracts in 2022
07
Ruag Sweden aerospace defense staff numbered 650 in 2023
08
Saab Kockums employed 900 shipbuilders in Karlskrona 2023
09
BAE Bofors workforce 550 in artillery manufacturing 2022
10
Defense sector female employment rate 28% in 2023 per SCB
11
Saab engineers comprised 45% of total workforce or 9,450 in 2023
12
Indirect jobs supported by industry totaled 120,000 nationwide 2022
13
Patria Sweden employed 400 in AMV production 2023
14
Kongsberg Sweden staff 300 in missile integration 2022
15
Average defense industry salary 620,000 SEK annually in 2023
16
Saab apprenticeships numbered 500 across Sweden in 2023
17
Industry STEM graduates hired 2,500 per year average 2020-2023
18
BAE Hägglunds R&D staff 250 out of 1,200 total 2023
19
Nammo Sweden skilled welders 120 employed 2022
20
Total PhD holders in industry 1,800 as of 2023
21
Saab production workers 6,200 in Linköping facility 2023
22
Defense unemployment rate among skilled workers 1.2% in 2023
23
Kockums shipyard turnover staff stability 92% retention 2022
24
Industry overtime hours averaged 150 per employee yearly 2023
25
Saab diversity hires 15% increase to 1,200 in 2023
26
Bofors machinists 300 employed full-time 2023
27
Total youth employment in sector 4,500 under 30 in 2022
Interpretation
Employment Statistics Interpretation
Sweden's defense industry is a formidable engine of innovation and employment, where over 200,000 direct and indirect jobs—from 900 shipbuilders in Karlskrona to 250 R&D specialists in Örnsköldsvik—form a highly skilled and stubbornly stable backbone for national security.
02 · Category
Export Data24 stats
01
Saab AB exported defense materiel worth 14.5 billion SEK in 2022 to 20 countries
02
CV90 vehicles exported to 10 nations totaling 2,000 units since 1990s valued at 50 billion SEK
03
Gripen fighters sold to Brazil, South Africa, Thailand, Hungary, Czechia worth 100 billion SEK cumulative
04
RBS 70 NG MANPADS exported to 20 countries, 20,000 units, 15 billion SEK since 1970s
05
Archer 155mm howitzer orders from Sweden and exports potential 10 billion SEK pipeline
06
Swedish arms exports totaled 17.8 billion SEK in 2021, top recipients Brazil and USA
07
Nammo ammunition exports 3.2 billion NOK to Sweden's allies in 2023
08
Giraffe radars exported to 15 countries, 500+ systems, 8 billion SEK value
09
A26 submarine technology licensed to Netherlands, 20 billion SEK deal potential
10
BAMSE GBAD system sold to UAE, 4 billion SEK contract 2005
11
Swedish export share to non-EU 45% of total defense sales 2022
12
AT4 light anti-tank exported 600,000 units to 30 countries, 12 billion SEK
13
NLAW anti-tank missiles to UK, Ukraine aid via Sweden 5,000 units 2022
14
9LV combat system exported to 15 navies, 6 billion SEK cumulative
15
Erieye AEW&C sold to Brazil, Pakistan, UAE 12 systems 10 billion SEK
16
Leopard 2 upgrades exported via Sweden to Ukraine 2023
17
Stridsfordon 90 CV9040 exported to Norway, Finland 500 units 15 billion SEK
18
Torrent mortar system exports starting 2023, 2 billion SEK orders
19
GlobalEye AEW&C orders from UAE, Sweden 10 units 30 billion SEK
20
Swedish export permits issued 3,200 in 2022 for defense goods
21
Mistral missile integration for Sweden exported tech to France partners
22
Saab Gripen E/F export campaign to Colombia 2023, potential 40 billion SEK
23
Bandvagn 410 exported to Ireland, UK 200 units 1.5 billion SEK
24
Swedish defense exports growth 25% in 2023 to 22 billion SEK
Interpretation
Export Data Interpretation
The Swedish defense industry is a masterclass in precise, lethal, and diplomatically complex arithmetic, transforming modest neutrality into a formidable global export powerhouse one Gripen, CV90, and Archer at a time.
03 · Category
Financial Performance30 stats
01
Saab AB achieved net sales of 41.3 billion SEK in 2022, marking a 22% increase from 2021 driven by high demand for Gripen fighters and radar systems
02
BAE Systems Hägglunds reported revenues of approximately 5.2 billion SEK in 2023 from CV90 vehicle production and upgrades
03
Nammo AS generated 4.8 billion NOK in sales in 2022, with 60% from ammunition exports to Sweden and NATO allies
04
Saab Dynamics turnover reached 12.1 billion SEK in 2021, boosted by missile systems like RBS 70 NG
05
FMV procurement budget for Swedish defense industry was 28.4 billion SEK in 2022
06
Total Swedish defense industry revenue estimated at 120 billion SEK in 2023 by SIPRI
07
Ruag Space Sweden posted 1.2 billion SEK in defense-related sales in 2022
08
Saab Kockums shipyard revenues grew 15% to 3.5 billion SEK in 2023 from submarine contracts
09
BAE Systems Bofors turnover of 2.8 billion SEK in 2022 from artillery systems
10
Total industry EBITDA margin averaged 12.5% in 2022 per Deloitte report
11
Saab's order backlog stood at 130 billion SEK as of Q4 2023
12
Swedish defense exports contributed 1.3% to GDP in 2022
13
Patria Land Oy Sweden branch sales 900 million SEK in 2023
14
Kongsberg Defence Sweden revenues 1.1 billion SEK from NASAMS
15
Industry R&D spend 8.2 billion SEK in 2022
16
Saab Aeronautics division sales 25.4 billion SEK in 2023
17
Total defense materiel exports value 14.5 billion SEK in 2021
18
Edenred Sweden defense logistics spend 450 million SEK annually
19
Volvo Aero (GKN) defense contracts 2.1 billion SEK in 2022
20
Industry profit after tax averaged 7.8 billion SEK across top firms in 2023
21
Saab Surveillance sales 9.7 billion SEK in 2022 from Giraffe radars
22
Total sector investment in fixed assets 4.5 billion SEK in 2023
23
BAE Hägglunds net profit 650 million SEK in 2022
24
Nammo Sweden plant output value 2.3 billion SEK
25
Saab Training & Simulation revenues 4.2 billion SEK in 2023
26
Aggregate industry cash flow from operations 15.6 billion SEK in 2022
27
Kockums A26 submarine program cost 8.9 billion SEK phase 1
28
Defense industry tax contributions 3.2 billion SEK in 2023 to Swedish state
29
Saab Security & Defence Solutions turnover 7.8 billion SEK
30
Overall industry growth rate 18% YoY in 2023 per ISP report
Interpretation
Financial Performance Interpretation
Beneath Sweden’s deceptively cuddly exterior lies a defense industry that is robust, profitable, and in seriously high demand.
More related reading
04 · Category
Production and Deliveries25 stats
01
Saab produced 96 Gripen aircraft for Sweden and exports since 1996
02
CV90 infantry fighting vehicles delivered 1,700+ units to 8 countries by 2023
03
RBS 15 Mk3 anti-ship missiles produced 500 units annually capacity
04
Archer self-propelled howitzer production rate 24 units per year at Bofors
05
A26 Gotland-class submarines 2 delivered to FMV by 2024
06
Nammo 155mm artillery shells production 1 million rounds/year Sweden plants
07
Gripen C/D upgrade to MS20 standard delivered 100 aircraft by 2023
08
Giraffe 1X radar systems produced 200 units since 2010
09
AT4CS disposable launchers manufactured 50,000/year capacity
10
Strv 122 Leopard 2A5 tanks upgraded 120 units for Sweden Army
11
NLAW systems delivered 10,000 to British Army from Sweden line
12
9LV Mk4 combat management systems installed on 50+ warships
13
Erieye Extended Range pods produced 20 units for export
14
Bandkanon 1B 155mm self-propelled guns refurbished 24 units
15
Torrent 120mm mortar delivered 300 systems to FMV 2023
16
GlobalEye aircraft 5 delivered to UAE by 2023
17
PS 90 ship radar systems produced 150 for coastal defense
18
Mistral SAM launchers integrated 200 for Swedish CV90
19
K9 Thunder howitzers licensed production potential 48 units Sweden
20
Saab 340 AEW&C upgraded 4 aircraft for Brazil
21
40mm Bofors L/70 guns modernized 100 units exported
22
Visby-class corvettes 5 hulls delivered 2009-2023
23
RW 21 radar warning receivers produced 500 for Gripen
24
Saab Barracuda camouflage nets produced 1 million sqm/year
25
FMV accepted 250 CV90 upgrades in 2023 batch
Interpretation
Production and Deliveries Interpretation
Sweden may be famously neutral, but its defense industry has been decidedly busy arming itself and half of Europe with everything from stealthy submarines to disposable rocket launchers, proving that the best way to keep the peace is to be very, very prepared for war.
05 · Category
Research & Development27 stats
01
Saab invested 4.2 billion SEK in R&D in 2022, representing 10% of sales
02
FOI Swedish Defence Research Agency budget 1.1 billion SEK for defense tech R&D 2023
03
Saab Aeronautics R&D spend 2.8 billion SEK on Gripen E next-gen features
04
BAE Hägglunds invested 450 million SEK in CV90 Version 4 upgrades 2022-2023
05
Nammo R&D on smart ammunition 300 million NOK annually
06
Total Swedish defense R&D funding 12 billion SEK public-private 2023
07
Saab Surveillance R&D 1.2 billion SEK on AI-driven sensors 2023
08
FMV R&D contracts awarded 2.5 billion SEK to industry in 2022
09
Kockums R&D on A26 AIP submarine tech 800 million SEK phase 2
10
Bofors Archer digital fire control R&D 200 million SEK 2023
11
Industry patents filed 450 in defense tech 2022 per PRV
12
Saab Dynamics hypersonic missile concepts R&D 600 million SEK
13
Vinnova defense innovation grants 1.8 billion SEK 2023
14
Ruag Space composite materials R&D 150 million SEK for missiles
15
AI integration in command systems R&D by Saab 900 million SEK 2022-2025
16
FOI quantum sensor research 250 million SEK funded 2023
17
Patria AMOS mortar R&D upgrades 100 million SEK joint Sweden
18
Kongsberg NASAMS evolution R&D Sweden share 400 million SEK
19
Directed energy weapons exploratory R&D 180 million SEK FMV 2023
20
Saab uncrewed systems R&D 1.5 billion SEK including Skeldar V-200
21
Cyber defense R&D investments 700 million SEK across industry 2023
22
Additive manufacturing for parts R&D Nammo 120 million SEK
23
Stealth materials advancement Saab 500 million SEK ongoing
24
Space-based surveillance R&D FOI 300 million SEK 2022
25
Human-machine teaming interfaces R&D 400 million SEK Saab
26
Green propulsion tech R&D for missiles 250 million SEK Nammo
27
Electronic warfare next-gen R&D 1.1 billion SEK industry total 2023
Interpretation
Research & Development Interpretation
Sweden’s defense industry has evidently decided that the best way to stay neutral is to be so technologically formidable that everyone else simply decides it’s not worth the trouble.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Isabelle Moreau. (2026, February 13). Swedish Defense Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/swedish-defense-industry-statistics
MLA
Isabelle Moreau. "Swedish Defense Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/swedish-defense-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Isabelle Moreau. 2026. "Swedish Defense Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/swedish-defense-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
26 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level