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15 Dec 11. The extent to which Britain’s Armed Forces will support the security effort for next year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games in London was announced today by the Defence Secretary, Philip Hammond MP. While the safety and security operation for the Games remains a clear Police lead, the Government has agreed that the Ministry of Defence will make a significant contribution by providing a range of support to the civilian authorities. The Defence contribution to Olympics security will include specialist capabilities which only the military can provide, as well as some more general support. In total, the MOD expects to provide up to 13,500 personnel, comprising:
* 5,000 personnel in support of the police and other civil authorities, with specialist capabilities including explosive ordnance disposal teams, military working dogs and Royal Navy support to maritime policing, as well as a 1,000-strong unarmed contingency force for deployment in the event of an Olympics-related civil emergency;
* 1,000 personnel to provide logistics support;
* 3,500 personnel, rising to a peak of 7,500, to provide venue security
* A number of personnel participating in ceremonial events.
A number of military assets will also be deployed, including:
* HMS OCEAN, the largest ship in the Royal Navy’s fleet, which will be berthed in the Thames at Greenwich, providing logistics support, accommodation and a helicopter landing site;
* HMS BULWARK, in Weymouth Bay, providing maritime command and control, accommodation, helicopter and small boat basing and logistics supply;
* Typhoon jets, stationed temporarily at RAF Northolt in London and helicopters, likely to be Puma and Lynx, operating from HMS OCEAN to support airspace security;
* Appropriate ground-based air defence capabilities also to support the airspace security effort.
In addition, the military will make available Defence real estate including Woolwich Barracks and Horse Guards. Defence is proud to be playing its part in such an important national event as London 2012, however support to the Games will not divert the MOD from its core business. Throughout the Games, the Armed Forces will maintain its commitments to the protection of the UK, to current operations in Afghanistan and to other standing commitments worldwide – including the ability to respond to the unexpected. The Defence contribution to London 2012 is on a similar scale to military deployed at other recent Olympic Games. The Government is clear that the Games should be a peaceful celebration of sporting achievement and a cultural celebration – not a security event.
14 Dec 11. Sweden’s military exports set a record in 2010 despite a contraction of sales to the home market. Moreover, defense industry leaders are forecasting a stronger year in 2012, with Saab’s $3.2bn agreement to deliver 22 Gripen fighter jets to Switzerland providing a lift. Arms exports by Sweden amounted to $1.95bn in 2010. This contrasts with an equally high export level of $1.9bn in 2009 and relatively modest exports, valued at $429m, in 2001. The Netherlands was the biggest recipient in 2010, with purchases valued at $300m. The significant increase in exports has been motivated by a Swedish government policy to look to the wider international market for off-the-shelf weapons and equipment solutions. With fewer contract opportunities available, Sweden’s defense industry has started to generate a higher proportion of its sales through exports. Sweden exported military equipment and materials to 63 different countries in 2010. This compares with export sales to 52 countries in 2000 and 33 in 1990. Despite the government’s broader procurement policy, the defense industry has gained from the establishment of the Defense Export Agency, which was established this year t