Turkish arms imports fell by 48 percent between 2015 and 2019 compared to the previous five-year period, an annual report released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) showed, according to Daily Sabah.
The report said the decrease in imports can be explained by delays in deliveries of some major arms, the cancellation of a large deal with the US for combat aircraft and developments in the capability of the Turkish arms industry.
According to data provided by the institute, the five largest exporters in 2015-2019 were the US, Russia, France, Germany and China. Saudi Arabia, India, Egypt, Australia and China were the largest importers.
Between 2010-2014 and 2015-2019, there were increases in arms sales to the Middle East and Europe, while there were decreases in sales to Africa, the Americas, Asia and Oceania.
The SIPRI data showed that the flow of arms to the Middle East has increased, with Saudi Arabia being the world’s largest importer. The US and France were leaders in arms exports. US exports of major arms grew by 23 percent in 2015-2019, raising its share of total global arms exports to 36 percent.
In the same period, the total arms exports of the US were 76 percent higher than those of the second-largest arms exporter in the world, Russia. The US exported arms to 96 countries around the world.
According to the report, the volume of international sales of major arms in 2015-2019 was 5.5 percent higher than in 2010-2014, and 20 percent higher than in 2005-2009.