The global arms trade has steadily increased in volume over the past five years, driven by an almost doubling of imports in the Middle East and strong growth in demand in Asia, new figures suggest.

Five countries - the United States, Russia, China, France and Germany - accounted for 74% of the total arms exports, according to a Swedish think tank.

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute said that Asia and Oceania accounted for 43% of global arms imports in 2012-16, with India being the largest importer, accounting for 43% of all imports.

In 2012–16 India’s imports were far greater than those of its regional rivals China and Pakistan.

It was followed by Saudi Arabia, which saw a huge increase compared to the previous five years.

The largest exporter, the US, increased arms exports by 21%, with almost half going to the Middle East, the think tank said.


Saudi Arabia world’s second largest arms importer

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute said 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.  

Arms imports by Qatar went up by 245 per cent. 

Although at lower rates, the majority of other states in the region 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.

‘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.’

USA accounts for a third of global share

With a one-third share of global arms exports, the USA 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. 

‘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.’

Russia accounted for a 23 per cent share of global exports in the period 2012–16. 70 per cent of its arms exports went to four countries: India, Viet Nam, China and Algeria.

China’s share of global arms exports rose from 3.8 to 6.2 per cent between 2007–11 and 2012–16. It is now firmly a top-tier supplier, like France and Germany which accounted for 6 per cent and 5.6 per cent, respectively. 

The ongoing lower rate of French arms export deliveries may end soon because of a series of major contracts signed in the past five years. 

Despite a spike in arms exports in 2016, German arms exports—counted over a five-year period—decreased by 36 per cent between 2007–11 and 2012–16.