12-Mar-2018: Trends in International Arms Transfers, 2018

The volume of international transfers of major arms in 2014–18 was 7.8 per cent higher than in 2009–13 and 23 per cent higher than in 2004–2008. The five largest exporters in 2014–18 were the United States, Russia, France, Germany and China. The five largest importers were Saudi Arabia, India, Egypt, Australia and Algeria.

The flow of arms to the Middle East increased by 87 per cent between 2009–13 and 2014–18, while there was a decrease in flows to all other regions: Africa, the Americas, Asia and Oceania, and Europe.

From 11 March 2019 the freely accessible SIPRI Arms Transfers Database includes updated data on arms transfers for 1950–2018. Based on the new data, this Fact Sheet highlights global and regional trends and selected issues related to arms transfers.

Despite the long-standing conflict between India and Pakistan, arms imports decreased for both countries in 2014–18 compared with 2009–13.

India was the world’s second largest importer of major arms in 2014–18 and accounted for 9.5 per cent of the global total. Its imports decreased by 24 per cent between 2009–13 and 2014–18, partly due to delays in deliveries of arms produced under licence from foreign suppliers, such as combat aircraft ordered from Russia in 2001 and submarines ordered from France in 2008. Russia accounted for 58 per cent of Indian arms imports in 2014–18, compared with 76 per cent in 2009–13. Israel, the USA and France all increased their arms exports to India in 2014–18.

Pakistan’s arms imports decreased by 39 per cent between 2009–13 and 2014–18. The USA has become increasingly reluctant to provide military aid or sell arms to Pakistan: US arms exports to Pakistan fell by 81 per cent between 2009–13 and 2014–18. Pakistan has instead turned to other suppliers. For example, in 2018 it ordered 4 frigates and 30 combat helicopters from Turkey.

In 2014–18 Russia delivered major arms to 48 states. A total of 55 per cent of its arms exports went to its three main recipients: India, China and Algeria.  Although India remained the chief recipient of Russian arms in 2014–18, Russian arms exports to India fell by 42 per cent between 2014–18 and 2009–13.

Despite the rapid development of its indigenous arms-producing capabilities in recent years, China was the world’s sixth largest arms importer in 2014–18 and accounted for 4.2 per cent of the global total. Its arms imports decreased by 7.0 per cent between 2009–13 and 2014–18. Russia accounted for 70 per cent of Chinese arms imports in 2014–18. China remains reliant on imports for certain arms technologies such as engines for combat aircraft and large ships as well as long-range air and missile defence systems. Its own arms industry has yet to develop the technological capability to match Russian suppliers in these fields.

Chinese arms exports rose by 195 per cent between 2004–2008 and 2009–13, they increased by only 2.7 per cent between 2009–13 and 2014–18. In 2014–18 Asia and Oceania accounted for 70  per cent of Chinese arms exports, Africa for 20 per cent and the Middle East for 6.1 per cent. The number of countries to which China delivers major arms has grown significantly over the past few years.

China’s arms exports are limited by the fact that many countries—including 4 of the top 10 arms importers in 2014–18 (India, Australia, South Korea and Viet Nam)—will not procure Chinese arms for political reasons. Nonetheless, improvements in Chinese military technology have opened up opportunities for arms export growth, including exports to new customers. In 2014–18 China became the largest exporter in the niche market of unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs).