US Accounts for 46 Percent of Global Arms Sales in 2001: Report

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, August 09, 2002

US Accounts for 46 Percent of Global Arms Sales in 2001: Report

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

As the world's biggest arms supplier, the United States made arms sales agreements valued at 12.1 billion dollars in 2001, accounting for nearly 46 percent of the overall global arms sales, a US congressional study shows.

Russia remained second in arms sales, concluding arms deals valued at 5.8 billion dollars in 2001, according to the annual report prepared for Congress by the Congressional Research Serviceand handed over this week.

The total value of global arms sales agreements in 2001 was 26.4 billion dollars, down from 40 billion in 2000, the first year-to-year decline since 1997. Arms sales to developing countries reached their lowest level in eight years, or 16 billion dollars, in 2001 due to the global economic downturn, the study concluded.

The continuing effects of the Asian financial crisis in the late 1990s and fluctuations in crude oil prices in recent years have constrained weapons purchase by many developing countries, the study said.

A number of developing nations have chosen to upgrade existing weapons systems and defer purchases of more advanced and expensive arms.

But the United States and Russia could see notable weapons sales deals with the Middle East, Asia and Latin America in the coming years if the international economy improves, the study said.

Questions?Comments? Click here

Experts Reject 'China Threat' Theory ( 94 Messages)

HK Financial Secretary Confirmed Marriage with Chinese Diving Queen ( 30 Messages)

Christian Designs Found in Tomb Stones of Eastern Han Dynasty ( 77 Messages)

China's High-tech Development Geared to Marketable Industries ( 16 Messages)

Missing Chinese Girl Found Safe in US East Coast ( 44 Messages)

WTO Chief Says China is a Responsible Member ( 20 Messages)