Download this SIPRI Fact Sheet

Summary

The SIPRI Arms Transfers Database now contains information on all international transfers of major conventional weapons from 1950 to the end of 2008. It is the only publicly available resource providing consistent data on international arms transfers for this length of time. This Fact Sheet describes the trends that are revealed by the new data.

The five biggest suppliers for the period 2004–2008 were the USA, Russia, Germany, France and the UK. The five biggest recipients were China, India, the UAE, South Korea and Greece. The UAE rose to third place from 16th place in 1999–2003, and transfers to the Middle East were 38 per cent higher in 2004–2008 than in 1999–2003.

While China was the largest recipient of major conventional weapons for the period 2004–2008, the volume of its imports has declined dramatically since 2007. The volume of deliveries to Taiwan has also fallen, dropping by 44 per cent between 1999–2003 and 2004–2008.

The SIPRI Arms Transfers Programme is one of SIPRI’s longest running research programmes. As well as maintaining the SIPRI Arms Transfers Database, the programme undertakes research to identify shifting trends in international arms transfers.

The SIPRI Arms Transfers Database is a fully searchable online database containing information on all international transfers of seven categories of major conventional weapons from 1950 to the most recent full calendar year. It can be used to generate detailed written reports and statistical data on these transfers, including the suppliers and recipients, the type and number of weapon systems ordered and delivered, the years of deliveries, and the financial value of the deal.

Publisher: SIPRI
8 pp.
April 2009