Summary

The SIPRI Arms Transfers Database now contains information on all international transfers of major conventional weapons from 1950 to the end of 2010. 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 in international arms transfers that are revealed by the new data. It lists the main suppliers and recipients for the period 2006–10 and describes the changes in regional trends.

The volume of international transfers of major conventional weapons for the period 2006–10 was 24 per cent higher than for the period 2001–2005.

The five biggest suppliers in 2006–10 were the United States, Russia, Germany, France and the United Kingdom. The five biggest recipients were India, China, South Korea, Pakistan and Greece.

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.
March 2011