US tops list of global arms suppliers

New data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute showed that transfers of major conventional weapons rose by 22 per cent in 2005-2009, compared to the previous five-year period.

The US remains the biggest arms supplier, accounting for 30 per cent of weapons exports, while China and India are the biggest importers of conventional weapons, SIPRI said.

It added that Singapore and Algeria both made the top 10 list of major weapons importers for the first time.

SIPRI also said that Iran was the second-largest customer for China's arms industry over the past five years.

Sales included more than 1,000 surface-to-air and anti-ship missiles, along with 50 infantry fighting vehicles, which accounted for 14 per cent of China's arms exports by value during 2005-2009.

Overall, China remains a relatively small player in global arms exports, which average around $380 million (£253m) per year, compared to more than $7 billion (£4.6bn) for the US.

The institute, which uses five-year averages to spot trends in global arms transfers, said that the latest data raised concerns about arms races brewing in volatile regions in the Middle East, north Africa, South America, south Asia and south-east Asia.

SIPRI Arms Transfers Programme director Paul Holtom said: "Resource-rich states have purchased a considerable quantity of expensive combat aircraft.

"Neighbouring rivals have reacted to these acquisitions with orders of their own."