SIPRI Fact Sheet

March 2020

TRENDS IN INTERNATIONAL KEY FACTS

w The volume of international
ARMS TRANSFERS, 2019 transfers of major arms in
2015–19 was 5.5 per cent higher
than in 2010–14 and 20 per cent
pieter d. wezeman, aude fleurant, alexandra kuimova, higher than in 2005–2009.
diego lopes da silva, nan tian and siemon t. wezeman w The five largest arms
exporters in 2015–19 were the
United States, Russia, France,
Germany and China. Together,
The volume of international transfers of major arms in 2015–19 was they accounted for 76 per cent of
5.5 per cent higher than in 2010–14 and 20 per cent higher than in 2005–2009 all arms exports in 2015–19.
(see figure 1). The five largest exporters in 2015–19 were the United States, w In 2015–19 US arms exports
accounted for 36 per cent of the
Russia, France, Germany and China (see table 1). The five largest importers
global total and were 23 per cent
were Saudi Arabia, India, Egypt, Australia and China (see table 2, page 6).
higher than in 2010–14.
Between 2010–14 and 2015–19, there were increases in arms transfers to the
w Russian arms exports
Middle East (by 61 per cent) and to Europe (3.2 per cent), while there were decreased by 18 per cent
decreases in the transfers to Africa (–16 per cent), the Americas (–40 per cent) between 2010–14 and 2015–19.
and Asia and Oceania (–7.9 per cent). w French, German and Chinese
From 9 March 2020 the freely accessible SIPRI Arms Transfers Database arms exports in 2015–19 were
includes updated data on arms transfers for 1950–2019.1 Based on the new higher than in 2010–14, with
data, this Fact Sheet presents global trends in arms exports and arms imports respective increases of 72, 17 and
and highlights selected issues related to arms transfers. 6.3 per cent.
w The five largest arms
importers in 2015–19—Saudi
Arabia, India, Egypt, Australia
and China—together received
50 36 per cent of all arms imports.
w The main recipient region in
40
2015–19 was Asia and Oceania
(billions of trend-indicator values)

(accounting for 41 per cent of

Volume of arms transfers

global arms imports), followed

30 by the Middle East (35 per cent),
Europe (11 per cent), Africa
20 (7.2 per cent) and the Americas
(5.7 per cent).
w Between 2010–14 and 2015–19,
10 there were increases in arms
imports by states in the Middle
0 East (by 61 per cent) and by
1980–84 1985–89 1990–94 1995–99 2000–04 2005–09 2010–14 2015–19 states in Europe (3.2 per cent).
There were decreases in arms
Figure 1. The trend in international transfers of major arms, 1980–2019 imports by states in Africa
Note: The bar graph shows the average volume of arms transfers for 5-year periods (–16 per cent), the Americas
and the line graph shows the annual totals. The SIPRI trend-indicator value (TIV) is (–40 per cent) and Asia and
a measure of the volume of inter­national transfers of major arms. The method used to Oceania (–7.9 per cent).
calculate the SIPRI TIV is described on the Arms Transfers Database web page.
Source: SIPRI Arms Transfers Database, Mar. 2020.

1 For further detail on the SIPRI Arms Transfers Database see p. 12.
 2 sipri fact sheet

Table 1. The 25 largest exporters of major arms and their main clients, 2015–19
Note: Percentages below 10 are rounded to 1 decimal place; percentages over 10 are rounded to whole numbers.
Per cent
Share of change from Main clients (share of exporter’s total exports, %),
arms exports (%) 2010–14 to 2015–19
Exporter 2015–19 a
2015–19 2010–14 1st 2nd 3rd
1 United States 36 31 23 Saudi Arabia (25) Australia (9.1) UAE (6.4)
2 Russia 21 27 -18 India (25) China (16) Algeria (14)
3 France 7.9 4.8 72 Egypt (26) Qatar (14) India (14)
4 Germany 5.8 5.3 17 South Korea (18) Greece (10) Algeria (8.1)
5 China 5.5 5.5 6.3 Pakistan (35) Bangladesh (20) Algeria (9.9)
6 United Kingdom 3.7 4.6 -15 Saudi Arabia (41) Oman (14) USA (9.1)
7 Spain 3.1 2.9 13 Australia (33) Singapore (13) Turkey (11)
8 Israel 3.0 1.8 77 India (45) Azerbaijan (17) Viet Nam (8.5)
9 Italy 2.1 2.7 -17 Turkey (20) Pakistan (7.5) Saudi Arabia (7.2)
10 South Korea 2.1 0.9 143 UK (17) Iraq (14) Indonesia (13)
11 Netherlands 1.9 2.0 -2.8 Indonesia (17) USA (14) Jordan (13)
12 Ukraine 1.0 2.8 -63 China (31) Russia (20) Thailand (17)
13 Switzerland 0.9 0.9 2.6 Australia (18) China (14) Saudi Arabia (14)
14 Turkey 0.8 0.5 86 Turkmenistan (25) Oman (12) Pakistan (12)
15 Sweden 0.6 1.8 -65 USA (22) Algeria (12) UAE (10)
16 Canada 0.6 0.9 -33 Saudi Arabia (34) India (11) UAE (10)
17 Norway 0.4 0.6 -30 Oman (35) USA (20) Finland (14)
18 UAE 0.4 0.2 86 Egypt (41) Algeria (13) Unidentified state (12)
19 Australia 0.3 0.3 11 USA (42) Indonesia (18) Canada (18)
20 Belarus 0.3 0.5 -23 Viet Nam (31) Sudan (16) Serbia (15)
21 Czechia 0.3 0.1 453 Iraq (39) USA (17) Ukraine (9.0)
22 South Africa 0.3 0.5 -36 USA (23) UAE (20) Malaysia (11)
23 India 0.2 0.0 426 Myanmar (46) Sri Lanka (25) Mauritius (14)
24 Brazil 0.2 0.2 6.8 Afghanistan (38) Indonesia (17) Lebanon (11)
25 Portugal 0.2 0.0 1 239 Romania (95) Uruguay (2.9) Cabo Verde (1.2)
UAE = United Arab Emirates.
a Figures show the change in volume of the total arms exports per exporter between the 2 periods.

Source: SIPRI Arms Transfers Database, Mar. 2020.

THE EXPORTERS, 2015–19

SIPRI has identified 68 states as exporters of major arms in 2015–19. The

five largest suppliers of arms during that period—the USA, Russia, France,
Germany and China—accounted for 76  per  cent of all arms exports (see
figure 2 and table 1). The top five in 2015–19 were the same as in 2010–14, but
their combined total exports of major arms were 9.5 per cent higher. France
had the highest increase in arms exports among the top five. US, German
and Chinese arms exports also rose, while Russian arms exports fell (see
figure 3). The top 25 arms exporters accounted for 99 per cent of the world’s
major arms exports in 2015–19 (see table 1). States in North America and
Europe accounted for 87 per cent of all arms exports.
 trends in international arms tr ansfers, 2019 3

The United States

The USA was the top arms exporter in

2015–19 and delivered major arms to
South Korea, 2.1%
96 states. This is a far higher number of Italy, 2.1% Others,
destinations for arms exports than any Israel, 3.0%
9.6%
other supplier. US arms exports grew
Spain, 3.1%
by 23  per cent between 2010–14 and
United
2015–19 and the USA’s share of total Kingdom, 3.7% United States, 36%
global arms exports rose from 31  per
cent to 36 per cent. The gap in total arms China, 5.5%
exports between the USA and Russia—
the second-largest exporter—has grown
Germany, 5.8%
rapidly: in 2010–14 US exports of major
Russia, 21%
arms were 17 per cent higher than those
of Russia, whereas in 2015–19 they were France, 7.9%
76 per cent higher.
The Middle East accounted for
51 per cent of total US arms exports in
2015–19. US arms exports to the region Figure 2. Global share of major arms exports by the 10 largest exporters,
increased by 79  per cent between 2015–19
2010–14 and 2015–19. Saudi Arabia Source: SIPRI Arms Transfers Database, Mar. 2020.
was the largest recipient of US arms in
2015–19 and accounted for 25 per cent
of US arms exports, compared with United States 23%

7.4 per cent in 2010–14. Although the –18% Russia

US Congress discussed the possibility France 72%

of placing some restrictions on arms Germany 17%
exports to Saudi Arabia in 2019, deliv- China 6.3%
eries—including the delivery of 30 out –15% United Kingdom
of 154 combat aircraft ordered in Spain 13%
2011—continued throughout 2019. In Israel 77%
addition, in 2019 the US Government –17% Italy
authorized the sale of an estimated South Korea 143%
59 000 guided bombs to Saudi Arabia.
–25 0 25 50 75 100 125 150
Arms exports to Asia and Oceania
accounted for 30 per cent of total US Change in volume of arms exports (%)
arms exports in 2015–19. US arms
exports to the region were down by Figure 3. Changes in volume of major arms exports since 2010–14 by the
20 per cent on 2010–14 as a result of 10 largest exporters in 2015–19
decreases in arms exports to India Source: SIPRI Arms Transfers Database, Mar. 2020.
(–51 per cent), Pakistan (–92 per cent),
Singapore (–60 per cent), South Korea (–34 per cent) and Taiwan
(–38 per cent). These decreases were partly offset by increases in US arms
exports to Australia, which rose by 41  per cent (making Australia the
second-largest importer of US arms in 2015–19), and to Japan, which rose by
85 per cent.
Arms exports to Europe accounted for 13 per cent of US arms exports in
2015–19, an increase of 45 per cent on 2010–14. US arms exports to Africa
4 sipri fact sheet

increased by 10 per cent between 2010–14 and 2015–19, while those to the
Americas decreased by 20 per cent.

Russia

Russian arms exports accounted for 21  per cent of total arms exports in
2015–19 but were 18 per cent lower than in 2010–14. Although India remained
the main recipient of Russian arms in 2015–19, accounting for 25 per cent of
the total, Russian arms exports to India fell by 47 per cent between 2010–14
and 2015–19.
In 2015–19 Russia delivered major arms to 47 states. A total of 55 per cent of
its arms exports went to its three main recipients: India, China and Algeria
(see table  1). At the regional level, states in Asia and Oceania accounted
for 57  per cent of Russian arms exports in 2015–19, the Middle East for
19 per cent, Africa for 17 per cent, Europe for 5.7 per cent and the Americas
for 0.8 per cent.
Russian exports of major arms to the Middle East increased by 30 per cent
between 2010–14 and 2015–19. In 2015–19 Egypt and Iraq were the main
recipients of Russian arms exports to the Middle East, accounting, respect­
ively, for 49 and 29 per cent of Russian arms exports to the region. Deliv­eries
to Iraq were up by 212 per cent on 2010–14, while those to Egypt were up
by 191 per cent. Although Russian forces have been supporting the Syrian
Govern­ment in the conflict in Syria since 2015, Russian arms deliv­eries to
Syria fell by 87 per cent between 2010–14 and 2015–19, and it accounted for
only 3.9 per cent of Russian arms exports to the Middle East and 0.7 per cent
of total Russian arms exports in 2015–19.

The European Union and West European countries

The combined arms exports by European Union member states accounted

for 26 per cent of the global total in 2015–19 and were 9.0 per cent higher than
in 2010–14. The top five West European arms exporters—France, Germany,
the United Kingdom, Spain and Italy—together accounted for 23  per cent
of global arms exports in 2015–19, compared with 20 per cent in 2010–14.
French, German and Spanish arms exports increased between the two
periods, while British and Italian arms exports decreased (see figure 3).
In 2015–19 French arms exports reached their highest level for any five-
year period since 1990 and accounted for 7.9 per cent of the global total. After
a fall of 31 per cent between 2005–2009 and 2010–14, French arms exports
rose by 72 per cent between 2010–14 and 2015–19. French arms exports to the
Middle East were 363 per cent higher than in 2010–14. The region accounted
for 52 per cent of French arms exports in 2015–19, followed by Asia and
Oceania with 30 per cent.
France delivered major arms to 75 states in 2015–19. The three main recipi-
ents were Egypt, Qatar and India, which together accounted for 54 per cent
of French arms exports (see table 1). 2015–19 was the first five-year period in
which these countries had been among the main recipients of French arms
since the 1980s. Deliveries of Rafale combat aircraft to these three countries
accounted for nearly a quarter of French arms exports in 2015–19. At the end
of 2019 there were outstanding orders for a wide range of French major arms,
 trends in international arms tr ansfers, 2019 5

including Rafale combat aircraft to India and Qatar, submarines to Brazil

and India, and frigates to Egypt, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates
(UAE). This indicates that France’s arms exports will continue to be at a
relatively high level for at least the next five years.
German arms exports accounted for 5.8 per cent of the global total in
2015–19 and were 17 per cent higher than in 2010–14. In 2015–19 a total of
30 per cent of German arms exports went to Asia and Oceania, 26 per cent
to other states in Europe, 24 per cent to the Middle East, 11 per cent to the
Americas and 8.3 per cent to Africa.
In 2015–19 Germany delivered four submarines to South Korea, three
each to Egypt and Greece, two each to Colombia and Italy, and one to Israel.
Together, these deliveries accounted for 39 per cent of German arms exports
in 2015–19.
The UK was the world’s sixth-largest arms exporter in 2015–19 and
accounted for 3.7 per cent of total arms exports. British arms exports fell by
15 per cent between 2010–14 and 2015–19, primarily as a result of decreases
in its arms exports to Saudi Arabia, India and the USA.

Other top 10 suppliers

There were three countries outside Europe and North America among the
top 10 arms exporters in 2015–19: China, Israel and South Korea.
China was the world’s fifth-largest arms exporter in 2015–19 and accounted
for 5.5 per cent of total arms exports. After an increase of 133 per cent between
2005–2009 and 2010–14, Chinese arms exports grew by only 6.3 per cent
between 2010–14 and 2015–19. In 2015–19 Asia and Oceania accounted for
74 per cent of Chinese arms exports, Africa for 16 per cent and the Middle
East for 6.7 per cent. The number of countries to which China delivers arms
has grown significantly: from 40 in 2010–14 to 53 in 2015–19. Pakistan was
the main recipient (35 per cent) in 2015–19, as it has been for all five-year
periods since 1991.
Israel was the eighth-largest arms supplier in 2015–19. Its arms exports
accounted for 3.0 per cent of the global total and were 77 per cent higher than
in 2010–14. Although Israel has ranked higher than eighth in some earlier
five-year periods, the volume of Israeli arms exports in 2015–19 was the
highest ever.
South Korea was the 10th-largest arms exporter in 2015–19 with
a 2.1  per  cent share of the global total. Its arms exports increased by
143  per  cent between 2010–14 and 2015–19, the highest level of increase
among exporters in the top 10. However, its imports remained sub­stantially
higher than its exports. The number of countries to which South Korea
delivered arms rose from 7 in 2010–14 to 17 in 2015–19. In 2015–19 Asia and
Oceania accounted for 50 per cent of South Korean arms exports, Europe for
24 per cent and the Middle East for 17 per cent. Unlike in the two previous
five-year periods, in which well over half of South Korean arms exports went
to Turkey, in 2015–19 the distribution of South Korean arms exports was
spread far more widely. The largest recipient (the UK) accounted for only
17 per cent of South Korean arms exports.
 6 sipri fact sheet

Table 2. The 40 largest importers of major arms and their main suppliers, 2015–19
Note: Percentages below 10 are rounded to 1 decimal place; percentages over 10 are rounded to whole numbers.
Per cent
Share of change from Main suppliers (share of importer’s total imports, %),
arms imports (%) 2010–14 to 2015–19
Importer 2015–19 a
2015–19 2010–14 1st 2nd 3rd
1 Saudi Arabia 12 5.6 130 USA (73) UK (13) France (4.3)
2 India 9.2 14 -32 Russia (56) Israel (14) France (12)
3 Egypt 5.8 1.9 212 France (35) Russia (34) USA (15)
4 Australia 4.9 3.7 40 USA (68) Spain (21) France (3.6)
5 China 4.3 4.4 3.3 Russia (76) France (8.8) Ukraine (6.9)
6 Algeria 4.2 2.6 71 Russia (67) China (13) Germany (11)
7 South Korea 3.4 3.5 3.3 USA (55) Germany (30) Spain (7.8)
8 UAE 3.4 4.4 -18 USA (68) France (11) Netherlands (3.4)
9 Iraq 3.4 1.8 98 USA (45) Russia (34) South Korea (8.6)
10 Qatar 3.4 0.5 631 USA (50) France (34) Germany (9.2)
11 Pakistan 2.6 4.5 -39 China (73) Russia (6.6) Italy (6.1)
12 Viet Nam 2.2 2.6 -9.3 Russia (74) Israel (12) Belarus (4.9)
13 United States 2.0 3.3 -37 Germany (21) UK (17) Netherlands (13)
14 Israel 2.0 0.7 181 USA (78) Germany (16) Italy (6.2)
15 Turkey 1.8 3.7 -48 USA (38) Italy (24) Spain (19)
16 Japan 1.8 1.1 72 USA (96) UK (2.4) Sweden (1.6)
17 Indonesia 1.8 1.9 -4.6 USA (20) Netherlands (18) South Korea (16)
18 United Kingdom 1.7 1.5 17 USA (67) South Korea (21) Germany (4.7)
19 Singapore 1.7 2.5 -29 USA (37) Spain (24) France (18)
20 Bangladesh 1.6 0.9 93 China (72) Russia (15) UK (2.4)
21 Italy 1.5 0.6 175 USA (62) Germany (25) Israel (6.5)
22 Thailand 1.2 0.8 67 South Korea (21) China (21) Ukraine (14)
23 Oman 1.2 1.0 24 UK (45) USA (13) Norway (12)
24 Norway 1.1 0.7 67 USA (77) Italy (7.9) South Korea (7.2)
25 Kazakhstan 1.0 0.3 238 Russia (90) Spain (3.2) China (2.1)
26 Taiwan 0.9 1.7 -41 USA (100) – –
27 Canada 0.9 0.9 4.2 USA (56) Netherlands (11) Israel (9.6)
28 Greece 0.9 0.7 39 Germany (64) USA (19) UK (7.5)
29 Afghanistan 0.9 1.5 -38 USA (87) Brazil (8.8) Canada (1.2)
30 Azerbaijan 0.8 1.5 -40 Israel (60) Russia (31) Turkey (3.2)
31 Morocco 0.8 2.3 -62 USA (91) France (8.9) UK (0.3)
32 Jordan 0.8 0.5 54 USA (30) Netherlands (30) Russia (10)
33 Myanmar 0.7 1.1 -32 China (49) Russia (16) India (14)
34 Brazil 0.6 1.0 -37 France (26) USA (20) UK (17)
35 Philippines 0.6 0.1 403 South Korea (32) Indonesia (21) USA (19)
36 Mexico 0.6 0.5 17 USA (64) Spain (9.5) France (8.5)
37 Belarus 0.6 0.2 186 Russia (98) Ukraine (1.2) China (0.5)
38 Netherlands 0.6 0.7 -21 USA (76) Germany (13) Italy (7.6)
39 Kuwait 0.5 0.7 -22 USA (70) France (9.5) Switzerland (7.1)
40 Poland 0.5 0.6 -14 USA (29) Germany (18) Italy (14)
UAE = United Arab Emirates.
a Figures show the change in volume of the total arms imports per importer between the 2 periods.

Source: SIPRI Arms Transfers Database, Mar. 2020.

 trends in international arms tr ansfers, 2019 7

THE IMPORTERS, 2015–19

SIPRI has identified 160 states as importers of major arms in 2015–19. The
top five arms importers—Saudi Arabia, India, Egypt, Australia and China—
accounted for 36 per cent of total arms imports in 2015–19 (see figure 4 and
table 2). Of these, Saudi Arabia, India and China were among the top five
importers in both 2010–14 and 2015–19. At the regional level, Asia and
Oceania accounted for 41 per cent of arms imports in 2015–19, followed by
the Middle East (35 per cent), Europe (11 per cent), Africa (7.2 per cent) and
the Americas (5.7 per cent; see figure 5).

Africa

Arms imports by African states decreased by 16 per cent between 2010–14

and 2015–19. Russia accounted for 49 per cent of arms exports to the region,
the USA for 14 per cent and China for 13 per cent.

North Africa
North Africa accounted for 74 per cent of African arms imports in 2015–19.
Algeria alone accounted for 79 per cent of North African arms imports.
Algeria’s arms imports were up by 71 per cent on 2010–14, making it the
sixth-largest arms importer in the world in 2015–19. The increase occurred
in the context of Algeria’s long-standing tensions with Morocco, internal
tensions and concerns about the conflicts in neighbouring Mali and Libya
(see box  1). As in 2010–14, Russia remained the largest arms supplier to
Algeria in 2015–19, accounting for 67 per cent of Algerian arms imports,
followed by China (13 per cent) and Germany (11 per cent).

Sub-Saharan Africa
States in sub-Saharan Africa accounted
for 26 per cent of African arms imports Saudi Arabia, 12%
India, 9.2%
in 2015–19. Taken together, the arms
imports by states in the subregion Egypt, 5.8%
were 49 per cent lower in 2015–19 than
in 2010–14 and at the lowest level since Australia, 4.9%
1995–99. In 2015–19 Russia accounted
for 36 per cent of arms imports by China, 4.3%
states in the subregion, China for
Others, 46% Algeria, 4.2%
19 per cent and France for 7.6 per cent.
The five largest arms importers in South Korea, 3.4%
sub-Saharan Africa—Angola, Nigeria, United Arab
Sudan, Senegal and Zambia—accounted Emirates, 3.4%
for 63  per  cent of all arms imports Iraq, 3.4%
to the subregion. Angola accounted Qatar, 3.4%
for 27  per  cent of arms imports to
sub-Saharan Africa and was the 42nd-
largest arms importer globally. Even
though Angola’s economy was in reces- Figure 4. Global share of major arms imports by the 10 largest importers,
sion, its arms imports were 2120 per 2015–19
cent higher in 2015–19 than in 2010–14. Source: SIPRI Arms Transfers Database, Mar. 2020.
 8 sipri fact sheet

Box 1. Arms transfers and the conflict in Libya

The war between the internationally recognized Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) and the Libyan National Army
(LNA) that started in 2014 continued in 2019. Both sides have received weapons from abroad in violation of the 2011 United
Nations arms embargo on Libya, but no country has been sanctioned for this.
Details about these arms deliveries are uncertain and the volume cannot be estimated. For example, in 2019 the GNA received
an unknown number of armoured vehicles and armed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from Turkey. In 2015–19 the LNA
received armoured vehicles from Jordan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), combat helicopters from Belarus, supplied via
the UAE, and combat aircraft from Egypt. Combat aircraft and armed UAVs originating from the UAE have been used in the
fighting, including in 2019. It is unclear whether they are being operated by the UAE or whether the UAE has supplied them to
the LNA. The UAE’s involvement in Libya is part of its assertive foreign policy, which also includes its military intervention in
Yemen. In 2015–19 the UAE accounted for 3.4 per cent of global arms imports. It received major arms from a total of 17 countries
in 2015–19 but the United States accounted for 68 per cent of its arms imports. In 2019, when foreign military involvement
in Libya was condemned by the UN Security Council, the UAE had major arms import deals ongoing with Australia, Brazil,
Canada, China, France, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the USA.

The increase can largely be attributed to the delivery of 12 combat aircraft

from Russia.
South Africa was the largest arms importer in sub-Saharan Africa in
2005–2009, mainly as a result of deliveries of frigates and submarines from
Germany and combat aircraft from Sweden. In 2010–14 its arms imports fell
by 78 per cent and in 2015–19 they were nearly at zero. This sharp decrease
was partly a result of South Africa’s severe economic problems, which also
meant that it lacked the funds to operate half of its fleet of combat aircraft
supplied by Sweden.

Asia and Oceania

Arms imports by states in Asia and Oceania decreased by 7.9  per cent
between 2010–14 and 2015–19. Of the 10 largest importers in 2015–19, four
were in Asia and Oceania: India, Australia, China and South Korea. Russia
accounted for 29 per cent of arms imports by states in the region, the USA for
27 per cent and China for 10 per cent.

India and Pakistan

Between 2010–14 and 2015–19, arms imports by India and Pakistan decreased
by 32 and 39 per cent, respectively. While both countries have long-standing
aims to produce their own major arms, they remain largely dependent on
imports and have substantial outstanding orders and plans for imports of all
types of major arms.
Russia was the largest supplier to India in 2010–14 and 2015–19, but deliv-
eries fell by 47 per cent and its share of total Indian arms imports went from
72 to 56 per cent. The USA became the second-largest arms supplier to India
in 2010–14 as the security relationship between the two countries developed
into a strategic partnership. However, in 2015–19 India continued with its
policy of supplier diversification, and imports of arms from the USA were
51 per cent lower than in 2010–14. In contrast, arms imports from Israel and
France increased, by 175 and 715 per cent, respectively, making them the
second- and third-largest suppliers of major arms to India in 2015–19 (see
table 2).
 trends in international arms tr ansfers, 2019 9

China accounted for 51 per cent of Pakistan’s arm imports in 2010–14 and
for 73 per cent in 2015–19. The overall decrease in Pakistan’s arms imports
was linked to the USA’s decision to stop military aid to Pakistan. The USA
accounted for 30 per cent of Pakistan’s arms imports in 2010–14 but for only
4.1 per cent in 2015–19. Pakistan continued to import arms from European
states in 2015–19 and also strengthened its arms import relations with
Turkey with orders for 30 combat helicopters and 4 frigates in 2018.
Cross-border attacks between India and Pakistan intensified in early 2019.
Pakistan reportedly used combat aircraft imported from China, equipped
with Russian engines, and combat aircraft from the USA supported by
airborne early warning and control aircraft from Sweden. India reportedly
used combat aircraft imported from France and Russia, guided bombs from
Israel and artillery from Sweden.

East Asia
Arms imports by East Asian states increased by 3.0 per cent between
2010–14 and 2015–19. China, which accounted for 4.3 per cent of global arms
imports in 2015–19, was the largest arms importer in the subregion. The bulk
of its imports were for air defence systems, combat aircraft and engines for
combat aircraft from Russia. It has, however, developed an advanced arms
industry and has become far less reliant on arms imports from Russia.
Arms imports by Taiwan in 2015–19 were 41 per cent lower than in 2010–14.
However, in 2019 it placed orders for 66 F-16V combat aircraft and 108 tanks
from the USA. The USA had initially been reluctant to agree to these arms
sales because of the damage previous arms sales to Taiwan had caused to
US–Chinese relations.
Arms imports by Japan increased
by 72 per cent between 2010–14 and
Africa, 7.2%
2015–19 and are likely to continue to
Americas,
rise based on new orders for arms from Europe, 11%
5.7%
the USA, including an order in 2019 for Asia and Oceania, 41% Middle East, 35%

105 F-35 combat aircraft.
2015–19

Central America and the Caribbean,

and South America
2010–14
Arms imports by states in Central
America and the Caribbean increased Asia and Oceania, 46%
Middle East, 23%
by 23 per cent between 2010–14 Europe, 11% Africa, 9.0%
and 2015–19. Mexico accounted for Americas, 10%
70  per  cent of all arms imports to the
sub­region in 2015–19. The 17  per cent 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150

increase in Mexico’s arms imports Volume of arms transfers

(billions of trend-indicator values)
between 2010–14 and 2015–19 coincided
with its ongoing mili­ tary oper­
ations Figure 5. The importers of major arms, by region, 2015–19 and 2010–14,
against drug cartels. per cent of global share
Arms imports by South American Note: The SIPRI trend-indicator value (TIV) is a measure of the volume of inter­
states fell by 15 per cent between national transfers of major weapons. The method used to calculate the SIPRI TIV
2005–2009 and 2010–14, and by 59 per is described on the Arms Transfers Database web page.
cent between 2010–14 and 2015–19. In Source: SIPRI Arms Transfers Database, Mar. 2020.
10 sipri fact sheet

2015–19 the USA accounted for 19 per cent of the subregion’s arms imports,
France for 16 per cent and Italy for 8.6 per cent.
Venezuela was the largest arms importer in South America in 2010–14,
when it was re-equipping with mainly Russian arms. However, in 2015–19
Venezuela’s arms imports were 88 per cent lower than in 2010–14 as it con-
tinued to be affected by a severe economic crisis.
Although Brazil’s arms imports were 37 per cent lower than in 2010–14, it
was the largest arms importer in South America in 2015–19 and accounted
for 31 per cent of the subregion’s arms imports. By the end of 2019 it also had
the largest outstanding orders for arms—including for combat aircraft from
Sweden and submarines from France—of any state in the subregion.

Europe

Arms imports by states in Europe fell by 37 per cent between 2005–2009 and
2010–14. However, this downward trend reversed in 2015–19: arms imports
by European states were 3.2 per cent higher than in 2010–14 and accounted
for 11 per cent of the global total. The USA accounted for 41 per cent of the
region’s arms imports in 2015–19, Germany for 14 per cent and Russia for
10 per cent.

Arms transfers and armed conflict in Europe

Major arms were used in conflict in Europe in 2015–19: armed forces in
Ukraine fought against separatists in the east of the country, and there were
skirmishes between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Ukraine’s arms imports were
very low in 2015–19, despite the armed conflict there. Its largest arms imports
included 50 second-hand armoured vehicles from Czechia and 210 anti-tank
missiles from the USA.
Armenia’s arms imports increased by 415 per cent between 2010–14 and
2015–19. Russia accounted for 94 per cent of its arms imports in 2015–19.
Despite a fall of 40 per cent between 2010–14 and 2015–19, Azerbaijan’s
arms imports were 3.3 times higher than those of Armenia in 2015–19. Israel
accounted for 60 per cent and Russia for 31 per cent of Azerbaijan’s arms
imports in 2015–19. Both Armenia and Azerbaijan imported missiles capable
of attacking targets deep inside each other’s territory.

Re-equipping European air forces

In many West and Central European states growing tensions with Russia
and involvement in military air operations in the Middle East have con-
tributed to a growing demand for new combat aircraft. In 2015–19, states in
Western and Central Europe imported a total of 59 new combat aircraft. At
the end of 2019, these states had outstanding orders for imports of 380 new
combat aircraft (356 F-35s and 24 F-16s), most for delivery in 2020–29. All of
these aircraft will be supplied by the USA and in most cases were selected
over rival offers from France, Sweden and a consortium of British, German,
Italian and Spanish companies supported by their respective governments.
 trends in international arms tr ansfers, 2019 11

The Middle East

Arms imports by states in the Middle East were 61 per cent higher in 2015–19
than in 2010–14. Five of the world’s top 10 arms-importing countries in
2015–19 were in the Middle East: Saudi Arabia, which received 35 per cent of
arms transfers to the region, Egypt (16 per cent), the UAE (9.7 per cent), Iraq
(9.7 per cent) and Qatar (9.6 per cent). The USA supplied 53 per cent of total
arms transfers to the region, France 12 per cent and Russia 11 per cent. Qatari
arms imports were 631 per cent higher than in 2010–14, and it entered the
top 10 for the first time (see table 2).

Saudi Arabia
Arms imports by Saudi Arabia were 130 per cent higher in 2015–19 than in
2010–14. It was the world’s largest arms importer in 2015–19 and accounted
for 12 per cent of all imports of major arms. The USA was by far the largest
arms supplier to Saudi Arabia in 2015–19, accounting for 73 per cent of Saudi
Arabian arms imports, followed by the UK (13 per cent). Discussions in the
USA, Canada and many West European states about restrictions on arms
exports to Saudi Arabia continued in 2019 based on concerns that its military
intervention in Yemen involved violations of international humanitarian
law and was not conducive to ending the war there. However, Saudi Arabia
continued to import arms from some of these states in 2019, including
30 combat aircraft and large numbers of missiles and guided bombs from the
USA, armoured vehicles from Canada, armoured vehicles and patrol boats
from France, and missiles and trainer aircraft from the UK. Unlike the other
European suppliers among the top 10 arms exporters in 2015–19, Germany
suspended the bulk of its—already limited—arms exports to Saudi Arabia.
China and Russia each accounted for less than 1 per cent of Saudi Arabia’s
arms imports in 2015–19. China has supplied armed unmanned aerial
vehicles to Saudi Arabia since 2014. In 2019 Russia exported major arms (a
small batch of rocket launchers) to Saudi Arabia for the first time.

Turkey
In 1995–99 Turkey was the third-largest arms importer in the world; by
2005–2009 it was the ninth largest and in 2015–19 it ranked 15th. In 2015–19
Turkey’s arms imports were 48 per cent lower than in 2010–14, even though
its military was fighting Kurdish rebels and was involved in the conflicts
in Libya and Syria. The decrease was partly due to production delays in
sub­marines from Germany, originally planned for delivery in 2015–19. In
add­ition, in the past, Turkey imported most of its warships and armoured
vehicles, but in 2015–19 it mainly procured these arms from its own industry.
In 2019 the USA blocked a planned sale of 100 F-35 combat aircraft to
Turkey, which would have resulted in an increase in Turkish arms imports
over the next five years. The USA stopped the deal after Turkey imported
S-400 air defence systems from Russia in 2019. The USA had concerns that
Russia’s possible access to the Turkish S-400 systems could have allowed
it to gather information on the F-35s had they been supplied to Turkey.
Further­more, several European states restricted their arms sales to Turkey
in 2019 because of its actions against Kurdish groups in Syria.
SIPRI is an independent Egypt
international institute
Egypt was the third-largest arms importer in the world in 2015–19. Its arms
dedicated to research into
conflict, armaments, arms
imports accounted for 5.8 per cent of the global total and were 212 per cent
control and disarmament. higher than in 2010–14. The upward trend in Egypt’s arms imports coincides
Established in 1966, SIPRI with its military involvement in Libya (see box 1) and in Yemen, and fighting
provides data, analysis and with rebel groups in the Sinai Peninsula. It might also be linked to Egypt’s
recommendations, based on concerns over the security of gas fields in the Mediterranean and water
open sources, to policymakers, supply from the Nile Basin. The USA, which has been giving military aid to
researchers, media and the Egypt since 1978, was the largest arms exporter to Egypt for any five-year
interested public. period between 1980 and 2014. Although US arms exports to Egypt remained
stable in 2015–19, the USA was only the third-largest arms supplier to Egypt
GOVERNING BOARD in the period and accounted for 15 per cent of its arms imports, down from
Ambassador Jan Eliasson, 47  per  cent in 2010–14. Because of frictions with the USA related to the
Chair (Sweden) military coup in Egypt in 2013, Egypt has intensified its efforts to procure
Dr Dewi Fortuna Anwar arms from other suppliers. In 2015–19 a total of 35 per cent of Egyptian arms
(Indonesia) imports came from France, up from 2.3 per cent in 2010–14; Russia accounted
Dr Vladimir Baranovsky for 34 per cent of Egyptian arms imports in 2015–19.
(Russia)
Espen Barth Eide (Norway)
Jean-Marie Guéhenno (France)
Dr Radha Kumar (India) About the SIPRI Arms Transfers Database
Dr Patricia Lewis (Ireland/ From 9 March 2020 the freely accessible SIPRI Arms Transfers Database includes
United Kingdom) data on arms transfers for 1950–2019, which replaces all previous data on arms
Dr Jessica Tuchman Mathews transfers published by SIPRI. The database aims to contribute to an understanding
(United States) of the effects of arms flows on peace, stability and violent conflict. This Fact Sheet is
intended to encourage the use of the database for further research, investigations,
DIRECTOR policymaking and public debate.

Dan Smith (United Kingdom) The SIPRI Arms Transfers Database is the only public resource that provides
consistent information, often estimates, on all international transfers of major arms
(including sales, gifts and production under licence) to states, international organi-
zations and non-state groups since 1950. It is accessible on the Arms Transfers
Database web page of the SIPRI website.
SIPRI statistical data on arms transfers relates to actual deliveries of major arms.
SIPRI measures the volume of international transfers of major arms using a
common unit—the trend-indicator value (TIV). The method used to calculate the
SIPRI TIV is described on the Arms Transfers Database web page.
As the volume of deliveries can fluctuate significantly year-on-year, SIPRI presents
data for five-year periods, giving a more stable measure of trends. Percentage shares
presented in this Fact Sheet do not always add up to 100 per cent or to stated totals
because of the conventions of rounding.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Aude Fleurant (Canada/France), Pieter D. Wezeman (Netherlands/Sweden) and

Siemon T. Wezeman (Netherlands) are Senior Researchers, Diego Lopes Da Silva
(Brazil) and Nan Tian (China/South Africa) are Researchers and Alexandra Kuimova
(Russia) is a Research Assistant with the SIPRI Arms and Military Expenditure
Signalistgatan 9
SE-169 72 Solna, Sweden Programme.
Telephone: +46 8 655 97 00
Email: [email protected]
Internet: www.sipri.org
© SIPRI 2020