Trends in international arms transfers, 2017

The volume of international transfers of major weapons in 2013–17 was 10 per cent higher than in 2008–12. This is a continuation of the upward trend that began in the early 2000s (see figure 1). The five largest exporters in 2013–17 were the United States, Russia, France, Germany and China (see table 1). The five largest importers were India, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and China (see table 2 on page 6).

The flow of arms to the Middle East and Asia and Oceania increased between 2008–12 and 2013–17, while there was a decrease in the flow to the Americas, Africa and Europe.

From 12 March 2018 the freely accessible SIPRI Arms Transfers Database includes data on arms transfers in 2017 and updated information for 1950–2016. This Fact Sheet highlights some of the key global and regional trends and issues in arms transfers based on the new data.

KEY FACTS

• The volume of international transfers of major weapons has grown steadily since 2003. In 2013–17 the volume was 10 per cent higher than in 2008–12.

• The five largest exporters in 2013–17 were the USA, Russia, France, Germany and China. Together, they accounted for 74 per cent of the total volume of arms exports.

• US exports accounted for 34 per cent of the global total in 2013–17. US arms exports in 2013–17 grew by 25 per cent compared with 2008–12.

• French and Chinese arms exports in 2013–17 were higher than in 2008–12, with respective increases of 27 and 38 per cent.

• Russian arms exports decreased by 7.1 per cent between 2008–12 and 2013–17, and German exports fell by 14 per cent.

• The five largest importers in 2013–17 were India, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE and China. Together, they received 35 per cent of all arms imports.

• The main recipient region in 2013–17 was Asia and Oceania (accounting for 42 per cent of global imports), followed by the Middle East (32 per cent), Europe (11 per cent), Africa (7.2 per cent) and the Americas (7.1 per cent).

• Between 2008–12 and 2013–17 arms imports by states in the Middle East and Asia and Oceania increased by 103 and 1.8 per cent, respectively. By contrast, overall imports decreased in the Americas (–29 per cent), Africa (–22 per cent) and Europe (–22 per cent).