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Related news: Arms and military expenditure

European arms imports nearly double, US and French exports rise, and Russian exports fall sharply

(Stockholm, 11 March 2024) States in Europe almost doubled their imports of major arms (+94 per cent) between 2014–18 and 2019–23. Far larger volumes of arms flowed to Asia and Oceania and the Middle East in 2019–23, where nine of the 10 largest arms importers are. The United States increased its arms exports by 17 per cent between 2014–18 and 2019–23, while Russia’s arms exports halved. Russia was for the first time the third largest arms exporter, falling just behind France.

SIPRI to co-host WMD non-proliferation and disarmament pathways online course with a focus on nuclear and aerospace engineering

SIPRI and the European Union Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Consortium (EUNPDC) are pleased to host a second installment of the intensive introductory course on the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), mechanisms to control their further spread and pathways to disarmament. The course will take place on 2–5 May 2023 online.

Surge in arms imports to Europe, while US dominance of the global arms trade increases

(Stockholm, 13 March 2023) Imports of major arms by European states increased by 47 per cent between 2013–17 and 2018–22, while the global level of international arms transfers decreased by 5.1 per cent. Arms imports fell overall in Africa (–40 per cent), the Americas (–21 per cent), Asia and Oceania (–7.5 per cent) and the Middle East (–8.8 per cent)—but imports to East Asia and certain states in other areas of high geopolitical tension rose sharply.

SIPRI briefs the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Security and Defence on the impact of the war in Ukraine on EU arms export controls

On 29 November, Giovanna Maletta, Senior Researcher with the Dual-Use and Arms Trade Control Programme, and Dr Lucie Béraud-Sudreau, Director and Senior Researcher with the Military Expenditure and Arms Production Programme, participated in a public hearing of the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Security and Defence. The hearing was entitled ‘The War in Ukraine: Implications for Arms Export Policies at the EU Level’.

Arms sales of SIPRI Top 100 arms companies grow despite supply chain challenges

(Stockholm, 5 December 2022) Sales of arms and military services by the 100 largest companies in the industry reached $592 billion in 2021, a 1.9 per cent increase compared with 2020 in real terms. This is according to new data released today by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

World military expenditure passes $2 trillion for first time

(Stockholm, 25 April 2022) Total global military expenditure increased by 0.7 per cent in real terms in 2021, to reach $2113 billion. The five largest spenders in 2021 were the United States, China, India, the United Kingdom and Russia, together accounting for 62 per cent of expenditure, according to new data on global military spending published today by the SIPRI.

Global arms trade falls slightly, but imports to Europe, East Asia and Oceania rise

(Stockholm, 14 March 2022) International transfers of major arms saw a slight drop between 2012–16 and 2017–21 (–4.6 per cent). Nevertheless, exports by the United States and France increased substantially, as did imports to states in Europe (+19 per cent), East Asia (+20 per cent) and Oceania (+59 per cent), according to new data on global arms transfers published today by SIPRI.

Global arms industry: Sales by the top 25 companies up 8.5 per cent; Big players active in Global South

Sales of arms and military services by the sector’s largest 25 companies totalled US$361 billion in 2019, 8.5 per cent more than in 2018. The largest companies have a geographically diverse international presence. This is according to new data released today by SIPRI.

Global military expenditure sees largest annual increase in a decade—says SIPRI—reaching $1917 billion in 2019

Total global military expenditure rose to $1917 billion in 2019. The total for 2019 represents an increase of 3.6 per cent from 2018 and the largest annual growth in spending since 2010. The five largest spenders in 2019, which accounted for 62 per cent of expenditure, were the United States, China, India, Russia and Saudi Arabia.

USA and France dramatically increase major arms exports; Saudi Arabia is largest arms importer, says SIPRI

International transfers of major arms during the five-year period 2015–19 increased by 5.5 per cent compared with 2010–14. According to new data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the largest exporters of arms during the past five years were the United States, Russia, France, Germany and China.

Global arms industry rankings: Sales up 4.6 per cent worldwide and US companies dominate the Top 5

Sales of arms and military services by the sector’s largest 100 companies (excluding those in China) totalled $420 billion in 2018, marking an increase of 4.6 per cent compared with the previous year. This is according to new data released today by SIPRI in the SIPRI Top 100 ranking.

World military spending resumes upward course, says SIPRI

World military expenditure totalled almost $1.7 trillion in 2015, an increase of 1 per cent in real terms from 2014, according to new figures from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). The data is being released to coincide with the start of the Stockholm Forum on Security and Development. The comprehensive annual update of the SIPRI Military Expenditure Database is accessible from today.

 

Asia and the Middle East lead rise in arms imports; the United States and Russia remain largest arms exporters, says SIPRI

The volume of international transfers of major weapons has grown continuously since 2004 and rose by 14 per cent between 2006–10 and 2011–15, according to new data on international arms transfers published today by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

The United States leads upward trend in arms exports, Asian and Gulf states arms imports up, says SIPRI

The United States has taken a firm lead as the major arms exporter globally, according to new data on international arms transfers published today by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Overall, the volume of international transfers of major conventional weapons grew by 16 per cent between 2005–2009 and 2010–14.

Military spending continues to fall in the West but rises everywhere else, says SIPRI

World military expenditure totalled $1.75 trillion in 2013, a fall of 1.9 per cent in real terms since 2012, according to figures released today by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). The comprehensive annual update of the SIPRI Military Expenditure Database is accessible from today.
 

South Asia and the Gulf lead rising trend in arms imports, Russian exports grow, says SIPRI

India’s arms imports are now almost 3 times as high as those of the second and third largest arms importers—China and Pakistan—according to new data on international arms transfers published today by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Overall, the volume of international transfers of major conventional weapons grew by 14 per cent between 2004–08 and 2009–13.

Sales by largest arms companies fell again in 2012 but Russian firms’ sales increased sharply

Sales of arms and military services by the largest arms-producing companies—the SIPRI Top 100—totalled $395 billion in 2012 according to new data on international arms production launched today by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) at the Munich Security Conference.
 

China replaces UK as world’s fifth largest arms exporter, says SIPRI

China has become the fifth largest exporter of major conventional arms worldwide, according to new data on international arms transfers published today by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). This is the first time China has been in the top five arms exporters since the end of the cold war. Overall, the volume of international transfers of major conventional weapons grew by 17 per cent between 2003–2007 and 2008–12.
 

SIPRI Top 100 arms sales decreased in 2011: companies pursue diverse strategies in response to austerity measures

Sales of arms and military services by the largest arms-producing companies - the SIPRI Top 100 - totalled $410 billion in 2011 according to new data on international arms production released today by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

Compared to the companies in the Top 100 for 2010, this result represents a 5 per cent decrease in constant dollar terms. Over the period since 2002, arms sales by the Top 100 have nevertheless increased by 51 per cent in real terms.

Question marks remain over military spending and arms acquisitions in Latin America, says SIPRI

Off-budget spending and secrecy are limiting the democratic accountability of the military sector in Latin America and the Caribbean. This comes at a time when military spending is rising rapidly in the region. Nevertheless, transparency is improving and the increased military spending has not had an impact on health and education budgets, according to two new reports released by SIPRI today.