Which Countries Are Selling The Most Weapons?
Three-quarters of global arms sales come from just five countries. So, we wanted to know, what are these countries, and why are they world leaders in producing weapons?
Well, unsurprisingly, the country responsible for the largest number of sales also far outspends the rest of the world in defense: The United States. From 2011 to 2015, the US comprised a full one third of global arms exports, according to The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Six out of the top eight largest defense industry companies in the world are based in the US, with the largest, Lockheed Martin seeing roughly 80% of its sales from arms manufacturing and defense. Although the amount of weapons sales has been rising, they are largely based on multi-billion dollar arrangements with countries like Qatar, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia which have enormous defense budgets. Roughly ten percent of US sales are to Saudi Arabia, which is often controversial as the country has been accused of human rights abuses, and even sponsoring terrorism.
On the other side of the world, Russia comes in as the second largest supplier of weapons, accounting for roughly a quarter of global sales. Russia also has the second most powerful military in the world, and the Russian military itself has significantly increased weapons purchases from its own domestic arms manufacturers. Infamous for popularizing the AK-47, these arms and defense manufacturers are estimated to make up a fifth of the entire Russian manufacturing workforce. Nearly 40% of Russia's weapons exports go to India, which is the single largest importer of weapons in the world. One of the biggest importers of Russian weapons is also the third largest exporter- China. According to SIPRI, China accounted for nearly 6% of the global arms trade from 2011 to 2015, but a full two thirds of its weapons originated in Russia, and this trend has been consistent since the post-Soviet era began. China is able to receive advanced and deadly weapons from Russia directly. And in light of unrest in Russia, and growing tensions in the South China Sea, the sale of weapons between the two countries helps solidify support for both.
According to The Economist, while China pads its own military with Russian arms, it actually sells the weapons it produces to roughly 35 low and middle-income countries. But China pales in comparison to Russia and the US, which together make up more than half of the world's arms sales. France, Germany, and the UK are also frequently mentioned as massive arms producers, but they each produce about 4.5% to 5.5% of the global market. Billions are spent on weapons every year, and as long as conflict around the world continues, there's little chance that these countries will direct their efforts anywhere but arms.
Well, unsurprisingly, the country responsible for the largest number of sales also far outspends the rest of the world in defense: The United States. From 2011 to 2015, the US comprised a full one third of global arms exports, according to The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Six out of the top eight largest defense industry companies in the world are based in the US, with the largest, Lockheed Martin seeing roughly 80% of its sales from arms manufacturing and defense. Although the amount of weapons sales has been rising, they are largely based on multi-billion dollar arrangements with countries like Qatar, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia which have enormous defense budgets. Roughly ten percent of US sales are to Saudi Arabia, which is often controversial as the country has been accused of human rights abuses, and even sponsoring terrorism.
On the other side of the world, Russia comes in as the second largest supplier of weapons, accounting for roughly a quarter of global sales. Russia also has the second most powerful military in the world, and the Russian military itself has significantly increased weapons purchases from its own domestic arms manufacturers. Infamous for popularizing the AK-47, these arms and defense manufacturers are estimated to make up a fifth of the entire Russian manufacturing workforce. Nearly 40% of Russia's weapons exports go to India, which is the single largest importer of weapons in the world. One of the biggest importers of Russian weapons is also the third largest exporter- China. According to SIPRI, China accounted for nearly 6% of the global arms trade from 2011 to 2015, but a full two thirds of its weapons originated in Russia, and this trend has been consistent since the post-Soviet era began. China is able to receive advanced and deadly weapons from Russia directly. And in light of unrest in Russia, and growing tensions in the South China Sea, the sale of weapons between the two countries helps solidify support for both.
According to The Economist, while China pads its own military with Russian arms, it actually sells the weapons it produces to roughly 35 low and middle-income countries. But China pales in comparison to Russia and the US, which together make up more than half of the world's arms sales. France, Germany, and the UK are also frequently mentioned as massive arms producers, but they each produce about 4.5% to 5.5% of the global market. Billions are spent on weapons every year, and as long as conflict around the world continues, there's little chance that these countries will direct their efforts anywhere but arms.
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