Norway's peacekeeping profile stands in stark contrast to its success as a weapons exporter. New figures show that Norway is the world's biggest arms exporter in relation to its population.
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) figures reveal Norway as a leading arms exporter, with its industry enjoying strong growth.
"The Socialist Left Party's disarmament profile has been pulverized by the Norwegian arms industry and LO (The Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions). An increasing share of Norwegian weapon production is being used in war situations, the export to the USA is colossal," reports financial magazine Økonomisk Rapport.
In five years turnover has increased by 30 percent and the industry sells for NOK 7 billion (USD 1.05 billion) a year and employs around 5,000 people.
According to figures from SIPRI, Norway is the world's biggest arms exporter in relation to its population and the 11th in the world in real terms.
"We have a good relationship with LO, and the Labor Party understands the industry well," said Knut Hundhammer, managing director of the Norwegian Defense and Security Industries Association (FSi).
