斯德哥尔摩国际和平研究所-Trends-in-international-arms-transfers-2009_8页_443kb

Summary of Trends in International Arms Transfers, 2005–2009

Introduction

The SIPRI Arms Transfers Database provides comprehensive, consistent data on international transfers of major conventional weapons from 1950 to 2009. It is the only publicly available resource of its kind, enabling analysis of trends in arms transfers and identifying key suppliers and recipients. The database reveals that the volume of major conventional weapons transfers increased by 22% between 2005–2009 and 2000–2004, with a five-year moving average used to stabilize the data.

Main Suppliers of Major Conventional Weapons, 2005–2009

The top five suppliers of major conventional weapons during 2005–2009 were:

1. United States (30% of global exports) – Delivered to 70 countries and NATO, with the largest shares going to South Korea, Israel, and the UAE.
2. Russia (23% of global exports) – Exported primarily to Asia and Oceania (69%), with significant deliveries to China, India, Algeria, and Malaysia.
3. Germany (11% of global exports) – Exported over 1700 armoured vehicles, mainly to European countries, but also to Asia and Oceania.
4. France (8% of global exports) – Delivered 25 Mirage-2000 combat aircraft to Greece and 34 to the UAE, along with La Fayette frigates to Singapore.
5. United Kingdom (4% of global exports) – Delivered 72 Typhoon combat aircraft to Saudi Arabia and 24 Hawk trainer aircraft to India.

The top five suppliers accounted for 76% of global arms exports during 2005–2009, compared to 80% during 2000–2004.

Main Recipients of Major Conventional Weapons, 2005–2009

The top five recipients of major conventional weapons during 2005–2009 were:

1. China (9% of global imports) – Mainly sourced from Russia (89%), France (3%), and Ukraine (3%).
2. India (7% of global imports) – Sourced primarily from Russia (77%), the UK (8%), and Israel (5%).
3. South Korea (6% of global imports) – Mainly sourced from the US (66%), Germany (20%), and France (10%).
4. UAE (6% of global imports) – Sourced from the US (60%), France (35%), and Germany (1%).
5. Greece (4% of global imports) – Sourced from Germany (35%), the US (26%), and France (23%).

The top five recipients accounted for 32% of global arms imports during 2005–2009, compared to 38% during 2000–2004. Arms transfers to China and India decreased by 20% and 7%, respectively, from the previous five-year period.

Regional Trends in Major Conventional Weapon Deliveries, 2005–2009

Asia and Oceania

• Accounted for 41% of global arms imports.
• Transfers to Asian states increased by 11% compared to 2000–2004.
• Transfers to North East Asia (46%), South East Asia (20%), and South Asia (27%) were the largest shares.
• Five of the ten largest importers in 2005–2009 were Asian states: China, India, South Korea, Singapore, and Pakistan.

Europe

• European states received 24% of global arms imports.
• EU member states accounted for 17% of global imports, with 60% of those being intra-EU transfers.
• The largest European importer was Greece, receiving 38% of its arms from the US and France.
• Russia was the 80th largest importer globally, with significant orders from Israel and France.

The Middle East

• Middle Eastern states accounted for 17% of global arms imports.
• Transfers increased by 22% compared to 2000–2004.
• The UAE received 33% of all Middle Eastern arms, followed by Israel (20%) and Egypt (13%).
• The UAE was the fourth largest arms importer globally, with major orders from the US and France.

The Americas

• States in the Americas received 11% of global arms imports, unchanged from 2000–2004.
• Transfers to South America increased by 150%, driven by rising military spending and acquisitions.
• The USA was the largest importer in the Americas, and Chile was the largest in South America.
• South American countries like Peru, Brazil, and Venezuela are acquiring significant quantities of weapons, including tanks, aircraft, and armoured vehicles.

Africa

• African states received 7% of global arms imports, slightly up from 6% in the previous period.
• Algeria and South Africa were the two largest importers in Africa, accounting for 43% and 28% of regional imports.
• Sudan received 5% of Africa’s imports, with deliveries from Russia, China, and Belarus.
• Sub-Saharan African countries received relatively small volumes of arms, but these had a significant impact on regional conflict dynamics.

Key Observations

• Combat aircraft accounted for 27% of global arms transfers and were a major concern in regions of tension.
• China and India, despite being top recipients, saw a decline in arms imports.
• The USA and Russia dominated the global arms export market, with the USA delivering to the most countries.
• EU countries were major recipients, with intra-EU transfers making up a large share of arms imports.
• Regional arms build-ups in South America and Africa raised concerns about potential destabilization.
• Arms embargoes in Africa were frequently violated, indicating challenges in enforcement.

Related Publications

• SIPRI Yearbook 2009
• End-user certificates: improving standards to prevent diversion
• SIPRI Insights on Peace and Security no. 2010/3
• Air Transport and Destabilizing Commodity Flows
• Stemming destabilizing arms transfers: the impact of European Union air safety bans
• Ukrainian exports of small arms and light weapons, 2004–2007
• Transparency in Transfers of Small Arms and Light Weapons: Reports to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, 2003–2006
• The Impact on Domestic Policy of the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports: The Czech Republic, the Netherlands and Spain

About SIPRI

SIPRI is an independent international institute established in 1966, focusing on research into conflict, armaments, arms control, and disarmament. It provides data and analysis to policymakers, researchers, and the public. The SIPRI Arms Transfers Programme is one of its longest-running initiatives, maintaining a fully searchable database of international arms transfers and conducting trend analysis.