Finnish arms exports hit record high in 2023: thinktank

HELSINKI, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) — Finnish arms exports reached an all-time high to 333 million euros (361.33 million U.S. dollars) in 2023, said a report published Monday by Finnish think tank SaferGlobe.
Citing Finnish defense ministry and customs data, the report noted a nearly 80-million-euro (86.81-million-dollar) rise in exports compared to 2022, the highest since SaferGlobe began tracking arms statistics in 2002.
The majority of exports were war products, which totaled 192 million euros (208.33 million dollars), with about 85 percent directed to European countries, primarily within the EU, said the report.
The top three destinations — Sweden, Latvia and Lithuania — imported 104 million euros (112.85 million dollars) in war products, more than half of the total exports in this category.
Civilian weapon exports reached a record 141 million euros (153 million dollars), slightly less than half of Finland’s total arms exports, it said, noting that the United States is the largest buyer at 52 million euros (56.42 million dollars), followed by Canada and Australia.
According to SaferGlobe, civilian weapons are primarily exported for hunting and shooting sports. However, due to legislation, items such as pistols, shotguns, and cartridges are also exported as civilian weapons to authorities, including military personnel.
Together, the three countries accounted for over half of Finland’s civilian weapon exports.
Finland also granted a record 667 million euros (723.75 million dollars) in export licenses in 2023, nearly double the amount from previous peak years. Slovakia received the highest value at 201 million euros (218.1 million dollars), followed by Japan and Ukraine. ■