Study finds global arms exports on the rise

22 February 2016, 4:26 pm

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A Swedish think tank says global arms exports increased 14 percent during the five years to 2015, with the US retaining top position after its sales grew 27 percent from the previous five-year period.

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute says sales from the next biggest exporters, Russia and China, also increased but fell for numbers 4 and 5, France and Germany.

The top five exporters accounted for 74% of all arms sales, with the US and Russia supplying a total of 58%.

The think tank said in its report Monday that China saw the largest growth during the five-year period of 88%.

The five biggest weapons importers were India, Saudi Arabia, China, the United Arab Emirates and Australia.

— AP