Germany leads European arms trade
14 March 2011
Germany, France and the United Kingdom were among the five leading weapons exporters between 2006 and 2010, behind only the United States and Russia, new figures reveal.
The report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute shows that while the US and Russia accounted for 53 per cent of all supplies, Germany's arms exports were up by 96 per cent compared to 2001-2005. Its share of the market jumped from 7 per cent to 11 per cent.
French arms exports also rose, by a more modest 10 per cent, but its global market share fell one percentage point to 7 per cent. The volume of exports from the UK was down by 11 per cent on the previous period but has been rising since 2008.
Mark Bromley, European expert at SIPRI's Arms Transfers Programme, said: ''European producers in particular are seeking export opportunities and are benefiting from government assistance with export promotion activities.''
Meanwhile European states were responsible for 21 per cent of global conventional arms imports – second only to the Asia and Oceania region. However, Greece was the only EU member in the top five recipients, alongside India, China, Pakistan and South Korea. India was the world's biggest arms importer, receiving 9 per cent of the total volume.
The report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute shows that while the US and Russia accounted for 53 per cent of all supplies, Germany's arms exports were up by 96 per cent compared to 2001-2005. Its share of the market jumped from 7 per cent to 11 per cent.
French arms exports also rose, by a more modest 10 per cent, but its global market share fell one percentage point to 7 per cent. The volume of exports from the UK was down by 11 per cent on the previous period but has been rising since 2008.
Mark Bromley, European expert at SIPRI's Arms Transfers Programme, said: ''European producers in particular are seeking export opportunities and are benefiting from government assistance with export promotion activities.''
Meanwhile European states were responsible for 21 per cent of global conventional arms imports – second only to the Asia and Oceania region. However, Greece was the only EU member in the top five recipients, alongside India, China, Pakistan and South Korea. India was the world's biggest arms importer, receiving 9 per cent of the total volume.
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