A Top Global Think Tank

The arms industry

The purpose of this project is to monitor, describe and analyse trends and developments in arms production world-wide.
The SIPRI arms production project was initiated in 1989 to study developments in the arms industry. The project collects information on the major arms-producing companies and describes and analyses their adjustment to the changed economic and political context and the resulting changes in industrial structures. The amount of available information on the level of arms production is limited, both at the company and national level. There is a great need for further transparency. See Transparency in arms production.

Main activities:

  • Analysis of recent developments in the arms industry, at the company level and in a national and international perspective. See Trends in arms production.
  • Maintenance of the SIPRI arms industry database on arms-producing companies.
  • Collection of data on national trends and volumes of arms production. See Data on national arms production and links.
  • Presentation of analysis and data in the SIPRI Yearbook.

 

The SIPRI arms industry database

The SIPRI arms industry database was created in 1989. It contains financial data and employment data for arms-producing companies in the OECD and developing countries (except China). Data on the arms sales and employment of the 100 largest arms-producing companies in these countries are presented annually in a data appendix (SIPRI Top 100) to the chapter on arms production in the SIPRI Yearbook.

The SIPRI data on arms-producing companies are based on open sources, including a SIPRI Questionnaire on arms production, which is sent out annually to selected companies. Other sources include company annual reports and articles in journals and newspapers. Estimates of arms sales are made on the basis of open information. The database is served by a network of experts who provide the programme with company data and analytical support.

See also Sources and methods for SIPRI data on arms production.
Staff
SIPRI Top 100