STOCKHOLM (Reuters) – International arms deliveries were stable over the 2016-2020 period, ending more than a decade of increases, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) said in a report on Monday.
The United States, France and Germany – three of the world’s largest exporters – have increased deliveries, but declines in exports from Russia and China have offset the increase, SIPRI said.
It was the first time since 2001-2005 that the volume of deliveries of the main weapons between countries – an indicator of demand – has not increased over the previous five-year period, SIPRI said.
Although the pandemic has paralyzed economies worldwide and led many countries to deep recessions, SIPRI said it is too early to say whether the slowdown in arms deliveries should continue.
“The economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic could lead some countries to reevaluate their arms imports in the coming years,” said Pieter Wezeman, senior researcher at SIPRI’s Military and Weapons Expenditure Program, in a statement.
“However, at the same time, even at the height of the pandemic in 2020, several countries signed large contracts for large arms.”
The United Arab Emirates, for example, recently signed an agreement with the United States to purchase 50 F-35 jets and up to 18 armed drones in a $ 23 billion package.
Middle Eastern countries were responsible for the largest increase in arms imports, an increase of 25% in 2016-2020 from 2011-15.
Saudi Arabia, the largest arms importer in the world, increased its arms imports by 61% and Qatar by 361%.
Asia and Oceania were the largest major arms importing regions, receiving 42% of global arms transfers in 2016-2020. India, Australia, China, South Korea and Pakistan were the largest importers in the region.
“For many states in Asia and Oceania, a growing perception of China as a threat is the main driver for arms imports,” said Siemon Wezeman, Senior Researcher at SIPRI.
Reporting by Simon Johnson. Editing by Mark Potter