These Countries Are Increasing Their Weapons Exports the Fastest

Special Report

Published: March 11, 2019 4:34 pm

Last Updated: January 11, 2020 10:13 am

The United States, Russia, France, Germany, and China were the world’s largest exporters of military supplies in the years 2014-2018 — accounting for 75% of all arms exports, according to the latest report on major arms export volumes published by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) on March 11.

All but one of these five massive arms-producing nations are also among the countries with the fastest growing arms imports. Three other countries reviewed by SIPRI more than doubled their arms exports as a share of global exports.

The spikes are due to a combination of factors, but primarily high demand from nations in volatile regions such as the Middle East.

To identify the countries increasing their arms exports the most, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the 15 countries with the largest increases in major arms exports between the five-year periods of 2009-13 and 2014-18 from the report on major arms export volumes published by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) on March 11. Each country’s main client, all major arms import and export data, as well as annual military expenditures in 2017, also came from SIPRI. Each country’s GDP per capita in 2016 came from the World Bank.

Click here to see the countries increasing their weapons exports the fastest.

15. China
> Change from 2009-13 to 2014-18: +2.7%
> Share of global arms exports (2014-18): 5.2%
> Share of global arms exports (2009-13): 5.5%
> Main client, share of supplier’s total exports: Pakistan, 37%
> GDP per capita: $15,309

[in-text-ad]

14. Australia
> Change from 2009-13 to 2014-18: +3.9%
> Share of global arms exports (2014-18): 0.3%
> Share of global arms exports (2009-13): 0.3%
> Main client, share of supplier’s total exports: USA, 53%
> GDP per capita: $44,649

24/7 Wall St.
40 Places Young People Are Moving

13. United Kingdom
> Change from 2009-13 to 2014-18: +5.9%
> Share of global arms exports (2014-18): 4.2%
> Share of global arms exports (2009-13): 4.3%
> Main client, share of supplier’s total exports: Saudi Arabia, 44%
> GDP per capita: $39,753

12. Germany
> Change from 2009-13 to 2014-18: +13%
> Share of global arms exports (2014-18): 6.4%
> Share of global arms exports (2009-13): 6.1%
> Main client, share of supplier’s total exports: South Korea, 19%
> GDP per capita: $45,229

[in-text-ad-2]

11. Netherlands
> Change from 2009-13 to 2014-18: +16%
> Share of global arms exports (2014-18): 2.1%
> Share of global arms exports (2009-13): 1.9%
> Main client, share of supplier’s total exports: Jordan, 15%
> GDP per capita: $48,473

10. Switzerland
> Change from 2009-13 to 2014-18: +20%
> Share of global arms exports (2014-18): 1.0%
> Share of global arms exports (2009-13): 0.9%
> Main client, share of supplier’s total exports: Saudi Arabia, 19%
> GDP per capita: $57,410

[in-text-ad]

9. Spain
> Change from 2009-13 to 2014-18: +20%
> Share of global arms exports (2014-18): 3.2%
> Share of global arms exports (2009-13): 2.9%
> Main client, share of supplier’s total exports: Australia, 42%
> GDP per capita: $34,272

ALSO READ: Most Dangerous Countries for Women

8. Brazil
> Change from 2009-13 to 2014-18: +21%
> Share of global arms exports (2014-18): 0.2%
> Share of global arms exports (2009-13): 0.2%
> Main client, share of supplier’s total exports: Afghanistan, 32%
> GDP per capita: $14,103

7. United States
> Change from 2009-13 to 2014-18: +29%
> Share of global arms exports (2014-18): 36.0%
> Share of global arms exports (2009-13): 30.0%
> Main client, share of supplier’s total exports: Saudi Arabia, 22%
> GDP per capita: $54,225

[in-text-ad-2]

6. France
> Change from 2009-13 to 2014-18: +43%
> Share of global arms exports (2014-18): 6.8%
> Share of global arms exports (2009-13): 5.1%
> Main client, share of supplier’s total exports: Egypt, 28%
> GDP per capita: $38,606

5. Israel
> Change from 2009-13 to 2014-18: +60%
> Share of global arms exports (2014-18): 3.1%
> Share of global arms exports (2009-13): 2.1%
> Main client, share of supplier’s total exports: India, 46%
> GDP per capita: $33,132

[in-text-ad]

4. South Korea
> Change from 2009-13 to 2014-18: +94%
> Share of global arms exports (2014-18): 1.8%
> Share of global arms exports (2009-13): 1.0%
> Main client, share of supplier’s total exports: Indonesia, 17%
> GDP per capita: $35,938

24/7 Wall St.
Worst States for Women

3. United Arab Emirates
> Change from 2009-13 to 2014-18: +103%
> Share of global arms exports (2014-18): 0.3%
> Share of global arms exports (2009-13): 0.2%
> Main client, share of supplier’s total exports: Egypt, 41%
> GDP per capita: $67,293

2. Turkey
> Change from 2009-13 to 2014-18: +170%
> Share of global arms exports (2014-18): 1.0%
> Share of global arms exports (2009-13): 0.4%
> Main client, share of supplier’s total exports: UAE, 30%
> GDP per capita: $25,135

[in-text-ad-2]

1. Czech Republic
> Change from 2009-13 to 2014-18: +472%
> Share of global arms exports (2014-18): 0.3%
> Share of global arms exports (2009-13): 0.1%
> Main client, share of supplier’s total exports: Iraq, 40%
> GDP per capita: $32,606

Take Charge of Your Retirement In Just A Few Minutes (Sponsor)

Retirement planning doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. The key is finding expert guidance—and SmartAsset’s simple quiz makes it easier than ever for you to connect with a vetted financial advisor.

Here’s how it works:

Answer a Few Simple Questions. Tell us a bit about your goals and preferences—it only takes a few minutes!
Get Matched with Vetted Advisors Our smart tool matches you with up to three pre-screened, vetted advisors who serve your area and are held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests. Click here to begin
Choose Your Fit Review their profiles, schedule an introductory call (or meet in person), and select the advisor who feel is right for you.

Why wait? Start building the retirement you’ve always dreamed of. Click here to get started today!