斯德哥尔摩国际和平研究所-Trends-in-International-Arms-Transfers-2020_12页_260kb

Summary of Trends in International Arms Transfers, 2020

Core Content

The document provides an analysis of global trends in international arms transfers from 1981 to 2020, with a focus on the period 2016-20. It highlights the major arms exporters and importers, regional distribution, and key changes in arms trade dynamics.

Main Points

Global Arms Transfer Trends

• The volume of international transfers of major arms in 2016-20 was 0.5% lower than in 2011-15 and 12% higher than in 2006-10.
• SIPRI's updated database (March 2021) covers data from 1950 to 2020, offering more accurate and comprehensive insights.
• In 2020, arms transfers were 16% lower than in 2019 and 20% below the annual average from 2011-19, likely due to the Covid-19 pandemic, economic conditions, and geopolitical shifts.

Top Arms Exporters (2016-20)

• The five largest arms exporters were the United States, Russia, France, Germany, and China, collectively accounting for 76% of global arms exports.
• US arms exports increased by 15%, reaching 37% of the global share.
• Russian arms exports decreased by 22%, while France and Germany saw increases of 44% and 21%, respectively.
• China had a 7.8% decrease in arms exports, with Pakistan as the main recipient (38%).

Top Arms Importers (2016-20)

• The five largest arms importers were Saudi Arabia, India, Egypt, Australia, and China, collectively receiving 36% of all arms imports.
• Asia and Oceania was the main recipient region, accounting for 42% of global arms imports, followed by the Middle East (33%), Europe (12%), Africa (7.3%), and the Americas (5.4%).

Key Information

Regional Trends

• Middle East: Arms transfers increased by 25%.
• Europe: Arms transfers increased by 12%.
• Africa: Arms transfers decreased by 13%.
• Americas: Arms transfers decreased by 43%.
• Asia and Oceania: Arms transfers decreased by 8.3%.

Exporter Details

• United States: Delivered arms to 96 states, with Saudi Arabia as the main recipient (24% of US exports). US arms exports to the Middle East increased by 28%.
• Russia: Delivered arms to 45 states, with India (23%), China (18%), and Algeria (15%) as the top recipients. Its arms exports to India fell by 53%, significantly affecting its overall export volume.
• France: Increased arms exports by 44%, with India (21%), Egypt (20%), and Qatar (18%) as the main recipients. Aircraft accounted for 45% of French exports.
• Germany: Arms exports increased by 21%, with Asia and Oceania (38%) and the Middle East (23%) as the main regions. Deliveries of 3 submarines to Egypt played a key role in this growth.
• China: Arms exports decreased by 7.8%, with Pakistan (38%) as the main recipient. It increased its efforts to expand arms exports to the Middle East, though the impact was limited.
• Israel: Arms exports increased by 59%, with India (43%) as the main recipient. Delivered air defence systems to India.
• South Korea: Arms exports increased by 210%, driven by a stronger arms industry. Main recipients included UK (14%), Philippines (12%), and Thailand (11%).

Importer Details

• Saudi Arabia: The largest arms importer in the Middle East, receiving 24% of US arms exports in 2016-20.
• India: Received arms from Russia (49%), USA (46%), France (18%), and Israel (82%). Its arms imports decreased by 33% due to procurement delays and diversification efforts.
• Egypt: The largest arms importer in Africa, receiving 4.3% of global arms imports. Its imports increased by 136%, with France, Russia, and Germany as key suppliers.
• Algeria: Received 4.3% of global arms imports, with Russia (69%) as the main supplier. Its arms imports increased by 64%.
• Morocco: Arms imports decreased by 60%, with the USA (90%) as the main supplier. Outstanding orders may lead to a significant increase in the future.

Notable Observations

• United Kingdom: Arms exports decreased by 27%, with Saudi Arabia (32%) as the main recipient.
• Sub-Saharan Africa: Accounted for 26% of African arms imports in 2016-20. Russia was the largest supplier (30% of sub-Saharan imports), followed by China (20%) and France (9.5%).
• Americas: Arms imports decreased by 43%, with the USA (38%), Canada (15%), Mexico (11%), and Brazil (11%) as the main recipients.

Conclusion

The global arms trade in 2016-20 showed mixed trends, with some regions experiencing significant increases while others saw declines. The United States remained the largest arms exporter, followed by Russia, France, Germany, and China. Major arms importers included Saudi Arabia, India, Egypt, Australia, and China. The Middle East and Europe saw the most substantial growth in arms transfers, while the Americas and Asia and Oceania experienced declines. The document underscores the influence of geopolitical tensions, economic conditions, and procurement cycles on arms trade dynamics.