Asia, the Middle East lead rising trend in arms imports, as U.S. arms exports grow significantly
Few countries outside North America and Europe are large exporters of arms. China was the fifth largest arms exporter in 2013–17. Its arms exports rose by 38 percent between 2008–12 and 2013–17. While Pakistan was the main recipient of China’s arms exports in 2013–17, there were large increases in Chinese arms exports to Algeria and Bangladesh in that period. Israel (55 percent), South Korea (65 percent) and Turkey (145 percent) substantially increased their respective arms exports between 2008–12 and 2013–17.
The Middle East: Arms imports have doubled over the past 10 years
Most states in the Middle East were directly involved in violent conflict in 2013–17. Arms imports by states in the region increased by 103 percent between 2008–12 and 2013–17, and accounted for 32 percent of global arms imports in 2013–17.
“Widespread violent conflict in the Middle East and concerns about human rights have led to political debate in Western Europe and North America about restricting arms sales,” said Pieter Wezeman, Senior Researcher with the SIPRI Arms and Military Expenditure Programme. “Yet the United States and European states remain the main arms exporters to the region and supplied over 98 percent of weapons imported by Saudi Arabia.”
In 2013–17 Saudi Arabia was the world’s second largest arms importer, with arms imports increasing by 225 percent compared with 2008–12. Arms imports by Egypt—the third largest importer in 2013–17—grew by 215 percent between 2008–12 and 2013–17. The United Arab Emirates was the fourth largest importer in 2013–17, while Qatar (the 20th largest arms importer) increased its arms imports and signed several major deals in that period.
South Asia: Regional tensions drive India’s growing arms imports
India was the world’s largest importer of major arms in 2013–17 and accounted for 12 percent of the global total. Its imports increased by 24 percent between 2008–12 and 2013–17. Russia accounted for 62 percent of India’s arms imports in 2013–17. However, arms imports from the United States rose by 557 percent between 2008–12 and 2013–17, making it India’s second largest arms supplier. Despite its continuing tensions with India and ongoing internal conflicts, Pakistan’s arms imports decreased by 36 percent between 2008–12 and 2013–17. Pakistan accounted for 2.8 percent of global arms imports in 2013–17. Its arms imports from the USA dropped by 76 percent in 2013–17 compared with 2008–12.
“The tensions between India, on the one side, and Pakistan and China, on the other, are fuelling India’s growing demand for major weapons, which it remains unable to produce itself,” said Siemon Wezeman, Senior Researcher with the SIPRI Arms and Military Expenditure Programme. “China, by contrast, is becoming increasingly capable of producing its own weapons and continues to strengthen its relations with Pakistan, Bangladesh and Myanmar through arms supplies.”
China’s arms imports fell by 19 percent between 2008–12 and 2013–17. Despite this decrease, it was the world’s fifth largest arms importer in 2013–17.
Other notable developments
— Arms imports by African states decreased by 22 percent between 2008–12 and 2013–17.
— Algeria accounted for 52 percent of all African imports in 2013–17.
— Nigeria’s arms imports grew by 42 percent between 2008–12 and 2013–17.
— Total arms imports by states in the Americas decreased by 29 percent in 2013–17 compared with 2008–12. Venezuela’s arms imports fell by 40 percent between the two periods.
— Imports by states in Europe decreased by 22 percent between 2008–12 and 2013–17. Deliveries of advanced combat aircraft from the USA will drive import volumes up during the next few years.
— In 2013–17 China accounted for 68 percent of arms imports by Myanmar, followed by Russia (15 percent).
— Indonesia increased its arms imports by 193 percent between 2008–12 and 2013–17.
— Australia was the sixth largest arms importer globally in 2013–17.
