7. Transfers of major conventional weapons

Contents

BJÖRN HAGELIN, PIETER D. WEZEMAN AND SIMON T. WEZEMAN

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Summary

Overall, major conventional arms transfers
in 1999 remained at a much lower level than during the cold war.
The generally dominant position of the USA is reflected in its
position as the major arms supplier, accounting in 1995–99
for almost as much as all other suppliers combined. Russia followed
with less than 30% of the US level. France, the UK and Germany
were the next largest suppliers in 1995–99. However, France
was a larger supplier than Russia in 1997 and 1998.

The largest recipient in 1995–99 was Taiwan, followed by
Saudi Arabia and Turkey. The USA was the major supplier for all
three countries.

On the basis of government and industry reports, SIPRI estimated
the global financial value of the international arms trade in
1998 to be in the range of $35–$49 billion. Several considerations
affect a decision to supply, or not to supply, major weapons.
For most arms producers, commercial considerations are or have
become more important. This is clearly one factor which complicates
the creation of a balanced transatlantic military trade that
is politically, economically and otherwise acceptable on both
sides of the Atlantic.

The increasing importance of commercial considerations has led
to more competition and therefore recipient leverage. This is
part of the explanation why arms embargoes, while reducing arms
transfers, are not sufficient to stop such transfers. In 1999
six of the main recipients of weapons from the major suppliers
were involved in major armed conflicts. Suppliers are not reluctant
to re-supply parties located in areas of, or even involved in,
conflicts, whether allies, friends, or old or new customers.

Appendix 7A. The volume of transfers of conventional weapons: by recipients and suppliers, 1995-99
Appendix 7B. The volume of transfer of conventional weapons: by regions and other groups of recipients and suppliers, 1990-99
Appendix 7C. Register of the transfers and licensed production of major conventional weapons, 1999
Appendix 7D. Sources and methods

BJÖRN HAGELIN, PIETER D. WEZEMAN AND SIMON T. WEZEMAN