Trends in International Arms transfers-2015

TRENDS IN INTERNATIONAL ARMS TRANSFERS, 2015

Question: According to annual report released by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) named “The trends in international arms transfers-2015” the top arm exporter country during 2011-15 is-
(a) Russia
(b) United States Of America
(c) China
(d) Germany
Ans (b)
Related facts:

  • On 22 February 2016 Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) released the report named “The trends in international arms transfers-2015”.
  • According to the report the volume of international transfers of major weapons in 2011–15 was 14 per cent higher than in 2006–10.
  • The five biggest exporters in 2011–15 were the United States (33%), Russia (25%), China (5.9%), France (5.6%) and Germany (4.7%).
  • Together, they accounted for 74 per cent of the total volume of arms exports. Combined, the USA and Russia supplied 58 per cent of all exports.
  • The five biggest importers in 2011–15 were India (14%), Saudi Arabia (7%), China (4.7%), the UAE (4.6%) and Australia (3.6%).
  • During the year 2011-15, five top arms importer countries together, they received 34 per cent of all arms imports.
  • India was the largest importer of major arms in 2011–15, accounting for 14 per cent of the global total. Between 2006–10 and 2011–15 imports increased by 90 per cent.
  • China is increasingly capable of producing its own advanced weapons and has become less dependent on arms imports, which decreased by 25 per cent between 2006–10 and 2011–15.
  • In 2011–15 Russia supplied 70 per cent of India’s arms imports, the USA 14 per cent and Israel 4.5 per cent.
  • The USA emerges as a major supplier to India, 11 times higher in 2011–15 than in 2006–10.
  • Pakistan was the main recipient of Chinese exports accounting 63% of Pakistan arms Imports.
  • Azerbaijan was the largest importer of major weapons in Europe, with deliveries increasing by 217 per cent between 2006–10 and 2011–15.
  • The USA was the largest importer of major weapons in the Americas in 2011–15. Venezuela ranks second and was the largest importer in South America during 2011–15.
  • The three largest importers in Africa in 2011–15 were Algeria (30 per cent of imports), Morocco (26 per cent) and Uganda (6.2 per cent).
  • During 2011–15, 27 per cent of arms transfers to the Middle East region went to Saudi Arabia, 18 per cent to the UAE and 14 per cent to Turkey.

Reference:
http://www.sipri.org/research/armaments/transfers/measuring/recent-trends-in-arms-transfers
http://books.sipri.org/files/FS/SIPRIFS1602.pdf