Project Simoom

{{Short description|Business case aimed to build a propellant and explosives factory in Saudi Arabia}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}

{{Expand Swedish|date=July 2022|topic=gov}}

Project Simoom was the name of a business case involving the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI) and Saudi Arabia, which aimed to build a propellant and explosives factory in Saudi Arabia to modify anti-tank weapon systems{{cite news |title=Sweden factor|url=http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2012/03/06/Sweden-helping-build-Saudi-arms-factory/UPI-60031331049673/ |publisher=United Press International |date=6 March 2012 |accessdate=7 March 2012}}{{cite news |title=Sweden in secret Saudi arms factory project - report |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17271596 |publisher=BBC News |date=6 March 2012 |accessdate=7 March 2012}} Details about the project were revealed to the public on 7 March 2012 by investigative journalists Daniel Öhman and Bo-Göran Bodin at the Swedish public radio broadcaster Sveriges Radio.{{cite news |title=Hemlig vapenfabrik planeras i Saudiarabien |url=http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=3437&artikel=4998896 |newspaper=Sveriges Radio |language=Swedish |date=6 March 2012 |accessdate=7 March 2012}} The project was criticized for constituting a possible breach of Swedish arms trade laws, and for its secretive nature. It resulted in the resignation of Defence Minister Sten Tolgfors on 29 March 2012 and in FOI ending its participation in the project.{{cite news |last1=Mellin |first1=Erik |title="Brev från Wallenberg avgjorde Saudiaffären" |url=https://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/wE9v4o/brev-fran-wallenberg-avgjorde-saudiaffaren |accessdate=12 May 2020 |agency=Aftonbladet |date=17 August 2014}}{{cite news |title=Swedes help Saudi Arabia with a remodification factory of anti-tank system |url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/swedes-help-saudi-arabia-for-secret-arms-factory.aspx?pageID=238&nID=15400&NewsCatID=359 |newspaper=Hürriyet Daily News |date=7 March 2012 |accessdate=7 March 2012}}