Conventional Arms Transfers to Developing Nations, 1993-2000

Publication Date: August 2001

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Military and defense

Type:

Abstract:

This report is prepared annually to provide unclassified quantitative data on conventional arms transfers to developing nations by the United States and foreign countries for the preceding eight calendar years. Some general data are provided on worldwide conventional arms transfers, but the principal focus is the level of arms transfers by major weapons suppliers to nations in the developing world.

Developing nations continue to be the primary focus of foreign arms sales activity by weapons suppliers. During the years 1993-2000, the value of arms transfer agreements with developing nations comprised 67.7% of all such agreements worldwide. More recently, arms transfer agreements with developing nations constituted 67.6% of all such agreements globally from 1997-2000, and 69% of these agreements in 2000.

The value of all arms transfer agreements with developing nations in 2000 was over $25.4 billion. This was the highest total, in real terms, since 1994. In 2000, the value of all arms deliveries to developing nations was $19.4 billion, a notable decrease in deliveries values from 1999 ($26.2 billion in constant 2000 dollars).

Recently, from 1997-2000, the United States, Russia, and France have dominated the arms market in the developing world, with the United States ranking first each of the last three years in the value of arms transfer agreements. From 19972000, the United States made $31.5 billion in arms transfer agreements with developing nations, in constant 2000 dollars, 37.2% of all such agreements. Russia, the second leading supplier during this period, made nearly $16.8 billion in arms transfer agreements, or 19.8%. France, the third leading supplier, made over $9.7 billion or 11.5% of all such agreements with developing nations during these years.

In 2000, the United States ranked first in arms transfer agreements with developing nations at $12.6 billion or 49.7% of these agreements. Russia was second with $7.4 billion or 29.1% of such agreements. France ranked third with $2.1 billion or 8.3% of such agreements. The total value of U.S. arms transfer agreements with developing nations in 2000 notably increased, in real terms, from $8.7 billion in 1999 to $12.6 billion in 2000 (in constant 2000 dollars). In 2000, the United States ranked first in the value of arms deliveries to developing nations at $8.7 billion, or 44.8% of all such deliveries. The United Kingdom ranked second at $4.4 billion or 22.7% of such deliveries. Russia ranked third at $2.4 billion or 12.4% of such deliveries.

During the 1997-2000 period, the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) ranked first among developing nations in the value of arms transfer agreements, concluding $14 billion in such agreements. India ranked second at $7.6 billion. Egypt ranked third with $6.9 billion. In 2000, the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) ranked first in the value of arms transfer agreements among all developing nations weapons purchasers, concluding $7.4 billion in such agreements. India ranked second with $4.8 billion in such agreements. South Korea ranked third with $2.3 billion.