A Swedish think-tank says global arms exports increased 14 per cent during the five years to 2015, with the U.S. retaining top position after its sales grew 27 per cent from the previous 5-year period
HELSINKI: A Swedish think-tank says global arms exports increased 14 per cent during the five years to 2015, with the U.S. retaining top position after its sales grew 27 per cent from the previous five-year period.
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute says sales from the next biggest exporters, Russia and China, also increased but fell for numbers 4 and 5, France and Germany.
The top five exporters accounted for 74 per cent of all arms sales, with the U.S. and Russia supplying a total of 58 per cent.
The think-tank said in its report Monday that China saw the largest growth during the five-year period of 88 per cent.
The five biggest weapons importers were India, Saudi Arabia, China, the United Arab Emirates and Australia.