II. Supplier developments, 2018

Chapter:

5. International arms transfers and developments in arms production

Source:

SIPRI Yearbook 2019

Author(s):

Siemon T. Wezeman, Aude Fleurant

SIPRI has identified 67 countries as exporters of major arms in 2014–18. The five largest suppliers of arms in that period were the United States, Russia, France, Germany and China. Together, they accounted for 75 per cent of the total volume of exports of major arms in 2014–18 (see table 5.2). The same five countries made up the top five in 2009–13, when they accounted for 74 per cent of the total volume of exports. However, since the total volume of transfers increased between 2009–13 and 2014–18, the top five in 2014–18 exported 10 per cent more arms than in 2009–13. Arms exports by the USA, France and Germany increased significantly, while arms exports by China increased marginally and Russia’s arms exports decreased. The USA and Russia were by far the largest exporters in 2014–18, together accounting for 56 per cent of global exports. The top 25 arms exporters accounted for 99 per cent of the world’s arms exports in 2014–18.