Project Simoom

Project Simoom is the name of a controversial joint secret project involving Swedish government agency Swedish Defence Research Agency (Totalförsvarets forskningsinstitut or FOI) and Saudi Arabia to create an advanced weapons factory in Saudi Arabia. Documents and details about the project was revealed to the public on 7 March 2012 by Swedish public radio broadcaster Sveriges Radio. The project has been heavily criticized for constituting a possible breach of Swedish arms trade laws, and for its secretive nature. The actions of the Swedish Defence Research Agency and the Swedish government in connection with Project Simoom have also received criticism, resulting in the resignation of Defence Minister Sten Tolgfors on March 29, 2012.