Context: According to the report by SIPRI research institute – U.S. and Chinese companies dominated the global arms market in 2019, while the West Asia made its first appearance among the 25 biggest weapons manufacturers.

Key takeaways from the report

• The U.S. arms industry accounted for 61% of sales by the world’s “Top 25” manufacturers last year, ahead of China’s 15.7%.
• China and the United States are the two biggest states in terms of global arms spending.
• U.S. companies Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon and General Dynamics clinched the top five spots.
• China’s AVIC, CETC and Norinco held spots six, eight and nine.
• Airbus (European, 13th in the ranking) and Thales (French, 14th) got placed in Top 25.
• European companies are more internationalised than others.
• For the first time, a company from West Asia made it into the “Top 25”: EDGE, of the United Arab Emirates.
• EDGE is a good illustration of how the combination of high national demand for military products and services with a desire to become less dependent on foreign suppliers is driving the growth of arms companies in the Middle East.
• French group Dassault had shot up from 38th to 17th place, boosted by exports of its Rafale fighter jets in 2019.
• Two Russian companies were also in the “Top 25”, Almaz-Antey in 15th spot and United Shipbuilding in 25th.

About the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)

• SIPRI was established in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1966.
• It is an independent international institute dedicated to research into conflict, armaments, arms control and disarmament.
• Vision: A world in which sources of insecurity are identified and understood, conflicts are prevented or resolved, and peace is sustained.

The mission is to

• Undertake research and activities on security, conflict and peace.
• Provide policy analysis and recommendations.
• Facilitate dialogue and build capacities.
• Promote transparency and accountability.
• Deliver authoritative information to global audiences.

The SIPRI Yearbook is known worldwide as an authoritative and independent source for politicians, diplomats, journalists, scholars, students and citizens on armaments, disarmament and international security.