The government granted 432 permanent commercial export licenses for defense equipment to 52 countries.

On Thursday, Finland’s Ministry of Defense published a report showing that the country’s military exports reached a record high of €1.4 billion in 2024, its first full year as a NATO member.

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The Finnish government granted 432 permanent commercial export licenses for defense equipment to 52 countries, most of them members of the European Union and NATO.

The top customer was Sweden, which applied for NATO membership alongside Finland following the start of the Russian special military operation in Ukraine. Export licenses to Sweden totaled €672 million, accounting for 47.6% of Finland’s total military exports. These licenses covered various categories of products, primarily armored land vehicles.

Saudi Arabia was the second-largest buyer, purchasing services and spare parts for a mortar system worth €150 million. The U.S. followed, acquiring mainly fire control and surveillance sensors for €115 million.

The top 10 buyers of Finnish military equipment also included Japan, Latvia, Poland, Greece, Norway, Ukraine and the United Kingdom. Export licenses to Spain amounted to €2.25 million and covered various explosive devices and firearms with a caliber of less than 20 millimeters.

The report includes only commercial exports and therefore excludes the defense material Finland supplied to Ukraine as part of international assistance in its war with Russia.

The Ministry of Defense clarified that the figures refer to export licenses granted in 2024, although delivery of the equipment may occur in later years.

teleSUR/ JF

Source: EFE

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