Project Simoom
| Date | 2007 - Present |
|---|---|
| Location | Sweden, Saudi Arabia |
| Description | Swedish plans to help Saudi Arabia produce anti-tank weapons |
| Perpetrators | Swedish Defence Research Agency |
In 2012, it was revealed that the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI) had in all secrecy since 2007 helped Saudi Arabia build a plant for the production of anti-tank weapons.
History
In 2005, the government concluded an agreement with Saudi Arabia to build a weapons factory there in exchange for Saudi orders from Saab and Ericsson for many billions of SEK. The Saudis would buy the ERIEYE surveillance system.[1] Part of the so-called Project Simoom involved FOI's creation of a shell company called SSTI to handle dealings with Saudi Arabia, in order to avoid any direct links to FOI and the government. [2]
Wallenberg
The new alliance government in 2006 wanted to postpone the decision. Then Marcus Wallenberg intervened. A classified letter was sent to Defense Minister Sten Tolgfors. "It is of paramount importance that this issue be resolved quickly...otherwise, unfortunately, there is a risk that a number of other areas of cooperation, not least ERIEYE, may fall into the danger zone".[1]
