The Administrative Court in Stockholm has determined that FMV had the right to enter into an agreement to purchase firearms from the Finnish manufacturer Sako. The court assesses that the procurement was necessary to protect Sweden's essential security interests.

The German arms manufacturer Heckler & Koch had applied for a review, citing that the agreement, signed together with the Finnish Defence Forces, violated procurement regulations. However, the Administrative Court considers that FMV's decision falls under an exception in the law.

– The Administrative Court believes that FMV had the right to enter into the agreement under an exception in the procurement regulations to protect Sweden's essential security interests, says Maria Eka, Chief Judge at the Administrative Court in Stockholm, in a press release from the Swedish Courts.

In March 2023, FMV and the Finnish Defence Forces signed a ten-year framework agreement with Sako for the delivery of firearms. The agreement includes, among other things, automatic carbines, designated marksman rifles, and sniper rifles, and aims to ensure supply security and improved interoperability between Sweden and Finland.

Since then, FMV has continued to call off weapons under the agreement. In November 2024, the agency ordered 22,500 automatic carbines, with deliveries planned to continue until 2026.