Asia up in Arms

The arms trade continues to be a booming business. According to data provided by the Stockholm International Peace Institute (SIPRI), the total volume of arms sales from 2006-2010 to 2011-2015 has increased by 14 percent worldwide.

Two major regions are seeking weaponry: sales in Asia and Oceania have increased from 42 to 46 percent, while the Middle East has seen an uptake from 18 to 25 percent in arms acquired and now is in second place of the regions with the most imports. Many weapons for the Middle East are supplied by the United States, accounting for 41 per cent of US arms exports.

Asia and Oceania received 40 percent of US weapons. Also, 68 percent of Russian arms exports went to that same region. The biggest intra-Asia arms trader is China who sold most its weapons to Pakistan, followed by Bangladesh and Myanmar, all of which border China’s regional rival India.

Whilst the acquisition of weapons is also on the rise in Africa, Europe has experienced a sharp decline in the influx of arms. The Americas too are buying slightly fewer weapons.