Explanation of the Trade Registers

Trade Registers are written outputs that provide separate information on each deal included in the database. A deal is only included in a Trade Register if it is certain that deliveries have begun or an order has been placed. Deals are divided between those that concern the physical transfer of military equipment and those that concern the transfer of technology necessary for the production of military equipment by the recipient (licensed production). In each case, information is provided on the following:

• Number ordered - the number of items ordered under the deal in question.
• Weapon designation - the designation of the weapon system concerned.
• Weapon description - a description of the weapon system concerned.
• Year of order/licence - the year the order was placed or, in the case of licensed production, licence issued.
• Year(s) of deliveries - the year or years during which deliveries took place. If an order has been placed but no deliveries made, this field is left blank.
• Number delivered/produced - the number of items delivered or produced to date under the deal.
• Comments - any additional information that is known about the deal. This can include the financial value of the deal, what the weapons will be used for, whether the weapons are being donated as military aid, and any information on offsets linked to the deal.

If a piece of information is unknown the symbol '. .' is used. Information concerning the year of order, year(s) of deliveries, and number delivered/produced figures are in brackets if the accuracy of the data is uncertain. This does not imply that there is any uncertainty over whether the deal exists, or whether deliveries have taken place.

In cases where deliveries are identified but it is not possible to identify either the supplier or the recipient with an acceptable degree of certainty, transfers are registered as coming from 'unknown' suppliers or going to 'unknown' recipients. In situations where there is an arms transfer agreement for weapons that are produced by two or more cooperating countries, and if it is not clear which country will make the final delivery, the supplier is listed as 'multiple'.

The database can produce Trade Registers that give transfers to and from any selection of countries or rebel groups included in the database for any year or years covered by the database (1950 to the most recent full calendar year). Trade Registers can also be produced that give information on transfers of a specific category of weapon system. For example, the database can produce Trade Registers that give information on transfers of armoured vehicles to and/or from a country or rebel group or a selection of countries or rebel groups.