Data now available on world's largest weapons exporters


As follows from the new report of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the United States, Russia and France hold the lead in world arms exports. However, over the last five years, arms exports from Russia have noticeably decreased, and the US has strengthened its dominant position, RBC writes.

From 2014 to 2018, the five largest arms exporters — the United States, Russia, France, Germany, and China — together accounted for 75% of the total global arms exports. Over the past five years, the United States increased its lead over other arms suppliers. By 2018, arms exports from the United States grew by 29% compared with the period of 2009 — 2013. Overall, the United States occupy 36% of the global arms market.

“Over the past five years, the United States have been supplying weapons to at least 98 countries; these shipments often included modern weapons, such as combat aircraft, cruise and ballistic short-range missiles and a large number of guided bombs,” said Dr Aude Fleurant, director of the SIPRI Arms and Military Expenses Program.

The volume of Russian arms exports over the same period decreased by 17%. The reason was the reduction of imports by India and Venezuela. This is offset by the growing share of the United States and European countries from the top 5: in 2014-18, France increased arms exports by 43%, and Germany — by 13%.

The countries of the Middle East are growing their military purchases. In 2014 – 2018, imports of weapons into Middle Eastern countries increased by 87%. In general, the Middle East accounts for 35% of the global volume of arms imports.

According to the data published by SIPRI in December 2018, for the first time since the beginning of the 2000s, Russia reached the second place in the world in weapons production.

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