Bofors
Encyclopedia : B : BO : BOF : Bofors
- For the scandal involving Bofors AB's Indian contracts, see Bofors scandal.
Bofors Defence AB was an iron works, cannon maker, and defence contractor located in Karlskoga, Sweden. The company was founded in 1873 but it originates from the hammer mill "Boofors" founded 1646. In 1999 Saab purchased the Celsius Group, parent group of Bofors. In September 2000 United Defense purchased Bofors Weapon Systems from Saab (the heavy weapons business), while Saab retained the missile interests.
Thus Bofors is today split in two parts:
- BAE Systems Bofors (BAE Acquired United Defense and its Bofors subsidiary in 2005)
- Saab Bofors Dynamics
The name Bofors is strongly associated with a 40 mm anti-aircraft gun based on a Bofors design which was produced and used by both sides during World War II, and often called simply the Bofors Gun. The gun saw service on land and sea, and became so widely known that anti-aircraft guns in general were often referred to as Bofors guns. Another well-known gun made by the company was the Bofors 37 mm anti-tank gun, a standard anti-tank weapon used by a variety of armies early in the war. It was license-built in Poland and the USA and was also used in a variety of tanks, including the 7TP and M3A3 Stuart.
In recent years Bofors has lost much of its reputation in Sweden due to various suspect affairs, the most scandalous being the alleged kickbacks involved in an securing a contract with the Indian Army in 1986, a venturesome business that has (speculatively) been associated with the murder of Olof Palme.
Modern Bofors weapons systems
- RBS 70 SAM
- RBS 23 SAM
- RBS15 AShM/LAM
- 40 mm Tridon
- 40 mm TriAD
- Archer SP Artillery
- FH 77 Howitzer
- 57 mm & 40 mm Naval guns
- Bonus Ammunition
- Excalibur Ammunition
- 3P Ammunition
See also
External links
- [Bofors]
- [Saab]
- [Bofors Defence]
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