World arms trade: 43 per cent goes to Asia-Oceania
India was the world's largest importer of major arms in 2012–16, accounting for 13 per cent of global trade with Saudi Arabia ranked second. The United States, Russia, China and some European nations are the main suppliers.
Stockholm (AsiaNews/SIPRI) – Arms imports by states in the Asia-Oceania region rose by 7.7 per cent between 2007–11 and 2012–16 and accounted for 43 per cent of global imports in 2012–16.
Between 2007–11 and 2012–16 arms imports by states in the Middle East rose by 86 per cent and accounted for 29 per cent of global imports in 2012–16.
Saudi Arabia was the world's second largest arms importer in 2012-16, with an increase of 212 per cent compared with 2007–11. Although at lower rates, the majority of other Mideast states also increased arms imports.
“Over the past five years, most states in the Middle East have turned primarily to the USA and Europe in their accelerated pursuit of advanced military capabilities,” said Pieter Wezeman, Senior Researcher with the SIPRI Arms and Military Expenditure Programme.
Wezeman added that “Despite low oil prices, countries in the region continued to order more weapons in 2016, perceiving them as crucial tools for dealing with conflicts and regional tensions.”
India was the world's largest importer of major arms in 2012–16, accounting for 13 per cent of the global total. Between 2007–11 and 2012–16 it increased its arms imports by 43 per cent, outspending its regional rivals China and Pakistan.
Russia accounted for a 23 per cent share of global exports in the period 2012–16. About 70 per cent of its arms exports went to four countries: India, Vietnam, China, and Algeria.
Vietnam was the 29th largest importer in 2007–11. Over the following period, 2012–16, its arms imports rose by 202 per cent.
China, one of the leading arms exporters, saw its share of global arms exports rose from 3.8 to 6.2 per cent between 2007–11 and 2012–16.
The five biggest exporters – the United States, Russia, China, France and Germany – together accounted for 74 per cent of the total volume of arms exports.
With a one-third share of global arms exports, the United States was the top arms exporter in 2012–16. Its arms exports increased by 21 per cent compared with 2007–11. Almost half of its arms exports went to the Middle East.
'The USA supplies major arms to at least 100 countries around the world – significantly more than any other supplier state”, said Dr Aude Fleurant, director of the SIPRI Arms and Military Expenditure Programme.
Fleurant noted that “Both advanced strike aircraft with cruise missiles and other precision-guided munitions and the latest generation air and missile defence systems account for a significant share of US arms exports.”
.png)
