SIPRI Arms Transfers Data for 2007

There was an 8 per cent drop in international transfers of major conventional weapons between 2006 and 2007, according to new data published today by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

However, the drop in deliveries in 2007, welcome as it may be, follows 6 years of continuous increases. 2006 was the peak year for arms transfers over the past decade, and 2007 was a close second. With significant new orders for weapon systems arranged in 2007, particularly for the Middle East, South Asia and South East Asia, SIPRI Researcher Mark Bromley notes 'It is too soon to say whether we're seeing the start of a new declining trend in arms transfers or just a blip.'

The data are included in SIPRI's online Arms Transfers Database, http://armstrade.sipri.org/. An updated version of the Database, covering all international transfers of major conventional weapons from 1950 to the end of 2007, is published today (Monday, 31 March 2008). Other notable developments revealed by the new data include:

• A 62 per cent drop-off in arms imports by China hit Russia particularly hard. According to SIPRI Researcher Dr Paul Holtom, 'With no new contracts for big-ticket aircraft or ships in 2007, this may be the beginning of the end for the high-volume of arms transfers from Russia to China.'
• Despite a 15 per cent drop in its arms exports between 2003 and 2007, Russia holds on to its position as the world's second-largest arms supplier, behind the USA. Between 2003 and 2007, the top five suppliers - the USA, Russia, Germany, France and the UK - together accounted for 80 per cent of international arms exports.
• The United Arab Emirates and Israel have both increased their long-range strike capabilities significantly since 2003. Both countries have imported US F16 fighter aircraft - Israel around 85, the UAE around 70 and the UAE also imported 62 French Mirage fighters armed with cruise missiles.
• Venezuela increased its arms imports dramatically in 2003-2007, taking it from the 56th biggest importer in the world in 1998-2002 to the 24th. Some 92 per cent of Venezuela's imports came from Russia.
• In 2003-2007, Sudan received 87 per cent of its major conventional weapons from Russia and 8 per cent from China. Some of the aircraft imported from these countries were deployed in Darfur in contravention of UN Security Council Resolution 1591. The government of Chad used arms newly imported from Belgium and Switzerland in this period in combat against rebel forces.

According to SIPRI Arms Transfers Project Leader, Siemon Wezeman, ‘Given growing international concerns with regional conflicts in Africa, the Middle East and South America, the SIPRI data confirms a troubling lack of restraint by both arms dealers and importers active in these regions -- this will further complicate efforts aimed at building stability in these parts of the world.’

For general information and for advance access to the SIPRI data:
Paul Holtom
Email; Tel: + 46 8 655 97 72

For information on Latin America, Western Europe and Central Europe:
Mark Bromley
Email; Tel: + 46 8 655 97 36

For information on Eastern Europe, Russia and the USA:
Paul Holtom
Email; Tel: + 46 8 655 97 72

For information on Africa and the Middle East:
Pieter Wezeman
Email; Tel: + 46 8 655 97 40

For information on Asia:
Siemon Wezeman
Email; Tel: + 46 8 655 97 39

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) is an independent international institute for research into problems of peace and conflict, especially those of arms control and disarmament. It was established in 1966 to commemorate Sweden's 150 years of unbroken peace. For more on SIPRI, visit its website, http://www.sipri.org/.

Stockholm International Peace Research Institute
Signalistgatan 9
169 70 Solna
Sweden
Tel: +46 8 655 97 00
Fax: +46 8 655 97 33
Email: sipri@sipri.org