International and Regional Trade
Global trade data/trends
The global arms trade is dynamic and competitive, with its total value difficult to measure (likely $60-100 billion annually) and rumors frequently swirling about possible deals. According to the latest SIPRI data, the top five exporters are the United States, Russia, China, France and Germany - accounting for 74% of global exports. India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), China, and Algeria were largest importers (in order). Experts closely follow the activities of major producers, focusing particularly on Russia and China who have been trying to expand their trade, as well as changes in regional dynamics for signs of arms races and instability.
Experts: Jeff Abramson, Deepayan Basu Ray, Mark Bromley, Nils Duquet, Aude Fleurant, Roy Isbister, Nicholas Marsh, Robert Muggah, Robert Perkins, Samuel Perlo- Freeman, Frank Slijper, Rachel Stohl, Francesco Vignarca, Anne-Charlotte Merrell Wettwerwik, Patrick Wilcken.
Key resources:
Recent Expert Publications*:
*publications in which Forum-listed experts were involved. Inclusion on the Forum on the Arms Trade expert list does not indicate agreement with or endorsement of the opinions of others.
The global arms trade is dynamic and competitive, with its total value difficult to measure (likely $60-100 billion annually) and rumors frequently swirling about possible deals. According to the latest SIPRI data, the top five exporters are the United States, Russia, China, France and Germany - accounting for 74% of global exports. India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), China, and Algeria were largest importers (in order). Experts closely follow the activities of major producers, focusing particularly on Russia and China who have been trying to expand their trade, as well as changes in regional dynamics for signs of arms races and instability.
Experts: Jeff Abramson, Deepayan Basu Ray, Mark Bromley, Nils Duquet, Aude Fleurant, Roy Isbister, Nicholas Marsh, Robert Muggah, Robert Perkins, Samuel Perlo- Freeman, Frank Slijper, Rachel Stohl, Francesco Vignarca, Anne-Charlotte Merrell Wettwerwik, Patrick Wilcken.
Key resources:
- SIPRI- "Trends in international arms transfers, 2017" factsheet
- SIPRI - arms transfers database
- Control Arms - global civil society champions of the Arms Trade Treaty
- Small Arms Survey - trade update on small arms transfers
Recent Expert Publications*:
- Jeff Abramson, "Trump Touts Saudi Arms Sales, Arms Control Today," Arms Control Today, April 2018.
- Sam Perlo-Freeman, "SIPRI's arms trade data for 2017," World Peace Foundation," March 19, 2018.
- Aude Fleurant (and team), "Trends in international arms transfers, 2017," SIPRI Fact Sheet, March 12.
- Jeff Abramson, "Europeans Cut Saudi Arms Sales," Arms Control Today, March 2018.
- Amy J. Nelson, New European Defense Initiatives, blog post, December 19th, 2017.
- William Hartung, In 2018, The Trump Administration Will Continue to Tout Job Impacts of Arms Exports, blog post, December 11th, 2017.
- Samuel Perlo-Freeman, "Just How Big is the International Arms Trade? (part one) and (part two)," World Peace Foundation, Sept 25.
*publications in which Forum-listed experts were involved. Inclusion on the Forum on the Arms Trade expert list does not indicate agreement with or endorsement of the opinions of others.