Top 10 largest weapons exporting countries

   Top 10 largest weapons exporting countries
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) released the latest data about the “Trends in International Arms Transfers.” A comparative study about the improvements in global weapons exports value was presented between the periods of 2003-2007 and 2008-2012.
From 2008-2012, the five biggest weapons exporters accounted to 75% of the volume of global arms exports. One of the biggest surprises in the latest international transfers of weapons trend was China’s displacement of the United Kingdom as the fifth arms exporter in the world. The UK usually plays within the third to fifth spot since the 1950′s until China took over dropping UK to number six.
Most of the exporter’s weapons are delivered to the Asian and Oceania regions with India as its largest recipient. Here is the list of the top 10 weapons exporting countries in the world:

10.  Ukraine

Ukraine has a state-owned weapons exporter named Ukrspecexport. Its import and export sales rose by 2% in 2011. The company has contracts with 78 countries. According to the Ukrspecexport, it was their best performance in over their 16 years of work. Ukraine’s weapons exports account to 47% in Asia followed by Africa with 23%, Europe with 6% and the Americas with only 3%.

9. Sweden

Sweden’s weapons exports value in Europe dropped by 30% in 2012 due to the reduction of cost for buying military materials and the unsteady economic state in Europe. Further, Sweden was able to complete its several major contracts on systems sales to India, Pakistan and Thailand. The military equipment exported to these countries was the JAS 39 Gripen, Erieye and the Combat Vehicle 90. While Sweden’s export in Europe and North America decreased, there was a sharp increase in exports to Asia and the Middle East by 44%. Sweden’s largest recipient was India followed by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Thailand.

8. Israel

Israel is known for having the most advanced defense industries in the Middle East, which justifies its place in the top ten weapon exporting countries in the world. The country’s defense equipment export rose to 20% due to a major arms deal with Italy. Israel is also eyeing an increase in export sales to Vietnam, Azerbaijan, Brazil and Poland.

7. Italy

Italy has a major arms deal with Israel where the country promised to buy at least 1 billion dollars worth of Israeli military equipment. In return, Israel will be purchasing thirty Italian M-346 Master jets. Italy’s deal with Israel is important especially that its economy is unstable.

6. United Kingdom

Formerly included in the top five largest weapon exporters, the United Kingdom was displaced by China for the first time since SIRP conducted the study in the 1950′s. Countries supplied by the UK include the United States, Middle East, Africa, India and other NATO partners. The country became the first weapons trading power to support an Arms Trade Treaty for human rights. However, the UK supplied arms to countries where there is a high risk of using the weapons to commit internal violence.

5. China

China toppled the UK for the fifth spot as one of the five largest weapons exporter in the world. China’s volume of weapon exports rose by 162%. It was the first time for the communist country to be included in the top five. Its biggest weapons recipient was Pakistan accounting for 55%. Pakistan belongs to the Asian region, which received 74% of its global weapon supplies together with Oceania while Africa received 13%.

4. France

France’s volume of weapon exports decreased by 18% between the periods of 2003-2007 and 2008-2012 due to the completion of deliveries of high value deals for naval, air and land systems made in the 2000′s. In addition, France was not able to deliver orders for high-value weapons systems at the end of 2012. The unfulfilled orders were 10 submarines for Brazil and India, 7 frigates for Malaysia and Morocco; and 175 combat aircraft for India. From 2008-2012, France supplied 54% of the volume of weapons export to Asia and Oceania, 14% to Europe and 13% to Africa.

3. Germany

There was also a decrease in German arms exports by 8% between the same periods. The country also completed its deliveries of high-value deals for naval and land systems in 2000′s. Thirty-five per cent of its weapon supplies are for Europe, 31% for Asia and Oceania and 17% for the Americas. Further, Saudi Arabia purchased 600 to 800 Leopard-2A7+ tanks, around 100 Dingo-2 armoured vehicles and Boxer armoured vehicles. Qatar also purchased up to 200 Leopard-2A7+ tanks. Germany and Algeria have outstanding deals to purchase weapons.

2. Russia

From 2008-2012, Sixty-five percept of the Russia’s arms exports were delivered to Asia and Oceania. The five largest recipients of Russia’s weapons are India, Africa (17%), Middle East (9%), China (5%) and Vietnam (5%). India still remains as the largest buyer of Russian weapon experts. Russia also supplied an estimate of 37 Su-30MK and Su-27S combat aircraft and missiles to Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam. Forty-six per cent of its exports were aircrafts while 20% were missiles. An estimate of 343 Mi-17 helicopters were delivered to 26 states including Asia and Oceania receiving 166 helicopters, the Americas with 57, Middle East with 48, Europe with 43 and Africa with 20 units.

1. The United States

The volume of arms exported by the United States to Asia and Oceania accounts to 45% while the Middle East receives 27 % and 18% for Europe. From 2008-2012, 62% of the volumes of U.S. supplies were aircrafts, which included of 49 combat aircrafts, two of which are F-35s delivered to the United Kingdom. Other significant recipients of the U.S. weapons are Iraq and Afghanistan receiving 4% each of the U.S. exports. The U.S. delivered a substantial number of light armoured vehicles, tanks and 36 F-16 combat aircrafts to Iraq.

Top 10 smallest countries of the world

      Top 10 smallest countries of the world

10-Grenada

An island nation in the Caribbean, Grenada is also known as “The Island of Spice." The world's largest producer of nutmeg and mace crops, this nation located northwest of Trinidad and Tobago was colonized by the French from 1649 to 1763, which explains the very strong influence of French tradition and culture in the country. A popular tourist destination, you'll find French-influenced architecture and art all around the island, with cricket as the most popular sport.

9 – Malta - 316 km²

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Malta is another island country, however, its located in the Mediterranean Sea. 3 major islands make up the Republic of Malta: Gozo, Comino, and the largest, Malta. This small country has a population of over 450,000 inhabitants, making it one of the most densely populated countries in the world. Another popular tourist destination, foreigners from all over the world come to Malta for its sunny weather, attractive beaches, over 7,000 years of intriguing history, and a still vibrant nightlife.

8 – Maldives - 300 km²

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A popular tourist destination in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives is the smallest country in Asia in terms of area and population. There are over 1,192 coral islands in the Maldives, which are spread over 90,000 sq.km, making it one of the world's most dispersed countries. The country was once the colony of many empires, the Portuguese, the Dutch, and the British, but became an independent country in 1965. Today, the Maldives has a vibrant tourism economy due to its famous white sand beaches and crystal blue waters.

7 – Saint Kitts and Nevis - 261 km²

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The Mother Colony of the West Indies, these 2 islands in the Caribbean were some of the first islands to be occupied by Europeans. Its economy is dependent on tourism, agriculture, and small manufacturing industries. The islands also provide fantastic diving sites due to abundant marine life. A major sugar exporter for centuries, the large plantations are now beautiful estates that have been converted into hotels and resorts.

6 – Liechtenstein - 160 km²

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A German-speaking country, this is the only nation in the world to be completely located in the Alps. Located between Switzerland and Austria, Liechtenstein is the richest country in the world by GDP per capita, with the lowest unemployment rate (1.5%). Getting into the country is a little tricky without an airport. Visitors must go through Switzerland's Zurich Airport to reach this Alpine country that's still ruled by a prince.

5 – San Marino - 61 km²

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Surrounded completely by Italy, San Marino is also known as the Most Serene Republic of San Marino. Claiming to be the oldest surviving sovereign state in the world, it is also one of the wealthiest in terms of GDP per capita. The 3rd smallest country in Europe, it has a population of only 30,000, boasting of one of the lowest unemployment rates in the world.

4 – Tuvalu - 26 km²

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Formerly known as the Ellice Islands, Tuvalu is located in the Pacific Ocean, north east of Australia. There are about 10,000 inhabitants, with 8km of roads, and only 1 hospital present on the main island. The country was once a British territory but became independent in 1978. A difficult place to get to, tourism is not very significant. In 2010, less than 2,000 visitors came to Tuvalu, with 65% of them coming for business.

3 – Nauru - 21 km²

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An island nation located east of Australia, Nauru is the smallest island country in the world. It was known in the 1980's for a booming phosphate mining but is now a quiet island off the radar of tourists. Formerly known as Pleasant Island, its phosphate resources are now depleted, leading to a 90% national unemployment rate, with the remaining 10% employed by the government. Nauru is also known as the country with the most obese people in the world, with 97% of its men and 93% of women being obese or overweight. Because of this, Nauru is also home to the world's highest level of type 2 diabetes, with 40% of its population suffering from the ailment.

2 – Monaco - 2 km²

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Located on the French Riviera, Monaco is home to the largest number of millionaires and billionaires per capita in the world. Known for its gambling and luxury goods and services industry, Monaco is a favourite playground of the rich and famous. Bordered by France on 3 sides and one side by the Mediterranean Sea, the residents of Monaco are mostly French-speaking. With a population of over 36,000, Monaco is the world's most densely populated country. The most popular annual event is the Formula 1 race, with tracks passing through the city streets.

1 – Vatican - 0.44 km²

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The world's smallest country is the Vatican, also known as the Holy See. This country fits within the Italian capital city of Rome, and is the center of the Catholic Church. It is also home to the biggest church in the world – St. Peter's Basilica, and holds some of the most significant art works of the Renaissance such as The Pieta and the Creation of Adam. Its income comes from the voluntary contributions of over 1 billion members of the Roman Catholic Church around the world. The remainder of its economy comes from the sales of postage stamps, tourist mementos, and admission fees of museums.