9. International arms transfers

Chapter:

9. International arms transfers

Source:

SIPRI Yearbook 2022

Author(s):

Siemon T. Wezeman

The volume of International transfers of major arms in 2017–21 was 4.6 per cent lower than in 2012–16 and 3.9 per cent higher than in 2007–11. The volume of transfers in 2017–21 was among the highest since the end of the cold war, but was still around 35 per cent lower than the totals for 1977–81 and 1982–86, when arms transfers peaked. States’ arms acquisitions, often from foreign suppliers, are largely driven by armed conflict and political tensions (see section I). There are strong indications that tensions are increasing in most regions and it is thus likely that there will be more demand for major arms in the coming years, much of which will be fulfilled by International transfers.