IV. The financial value of states’ arms exports

Chapter:

10. International arms transfers and developments in arms production

Source:

SIPRI Yearbook 2017

Author(s):

Siemon T. Wezeman, Aude Fleurant

Official data on the financial value of states’ arms exports in the years 2006–15 is presented in table 10.6. The countries included in the table are those that provide data on the financial value of ‘arms exports’, ‘arms export licences’, ‘arms export agreements’ or ‘arms export orders’ and for which the average of the values given exceeds $10 million. The data is taken from reports by, direct quotes from or direct communication with governments or official industry bodies. The stated data coverage reflects the language used by the original source. National practices in this area vary, but the term ‘arms exports’ generally refers to the financial value of the arms actually delivered; ‘arms export licences’ generally refers to the financial value of the licences for arms exports issued by the national export licensing authority; and ‘arms export agreements’ or ‘arms export orders’ refers to the financial value of contracts or other agreements signed for arms exports. The arms export data for the states in table 10.6 is based on national definitions and methodologies, and is thus not necessarily comparable.¹ Conversion to constant (2015) US dollars is made using the market exchange rates of the reporting year and the US consumer price index (CPI).