China Joins Top Five Conventional Arms Exporters

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) released a report in March 2013 titled "Trends in International Arms Transfers, 2012" that covers conventional arms transfers for the period 2008-2012.   It does not include small arms and light weapons.  During this period the United States remained the largest global exporter of major conventional weapons by dollar value, accounting for 30 percent of the total.  Russia was second with 26 percent, Germany third at 7 percent and France fourth at 6 percent.  China replaced the UK in fifth place with 5 percent of global transfers.

The volume of Chinese exports of major conventional weapons rose by 162 percent between 2003-2007 and 2008-2012 and China's share of the volume of international arms exports increased from 2 to 5 percent.  China is a major exporter of conventional weapons to Africa.  The largest African importers of weapons from various countries between 2008 and 2012 were South Africa, Uganda and Sudan.