WASHINGTON —The United States bolstered its arms sales over the last five years, solidifying its place as the world's leading arms exporter, according to a study published Monday by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
Overall, the US's exports between 2010– and 2014 grew by 23 percent compared with 2005-2009, according to SIPRI's figures.
The US shipped 31 percent of the arms exported worldwide between 2010 and 2014, beating out Russia's 27 percent. The US shipped arms to 94 countries, with no single country accounting for more than 9 percent of the U.S.'s country's total. South Korea (9 percent), the United Arab Emirates (8 percent) and Australia (3 percent) were the top three destinations for US weapons. Almost half of American exports went to Asia and Oceania, while another third went to countries in the Middle East.
Russia (27 percent, up from 22 percent) and China (5 percent, up from 3 percent) also saw their market shares grow from 2005-2009 to 2010-2014. Germany (5 percent, down from 11 percent) and France (5 percent, down from 8 percent) saw significant drop-offs.
India was the overall top importer of arms from 2010 to 2014, accounting for 15 percent of the worldwide total, according to SIPRI. The vast majority of India's imports — 70 percent — came from Russia. Saudi Arabia (5 percent) and China (5 percent) were the next highest overall importers.
