The WAR Conflict and the Miltary Sales Trade and Profits Yemen

The $18bn arms race helping to fuel Middle East conflict

Vladimir Putin’s decision last week to allow the controversial delivery of S-300 anti-aircraft missiles to Iran

That will see agreed arms sales to the top five purchasers in the region - Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Algeria, Egypt and Iraq – surge this year to more than $18bn, up from $12bn last year. Among the systems being purchased are jet fighters, missiles, armoured vehicles, drones and helicopters.

Last week France’s foreign minister, Laurent Fabius, disclosed progress in talks to sell Rafale fighter jets to the UAE, one of the Middle East’s biggest and most aggressive arms buyers.

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Saudi Arabia Replaces India as Largest Defence Market for US, IHS Study Says

Highlights from the IHS Global Defence Trade Report:

• Saudi Arabia topped India to become the largest defence market for US;
• The US supplied one-third of all exports and was the main beneficiary of growth;
• Saudi Arabia and UAE imported more than all of Western Europe;
• China is now the third largest importer of defence equipment, up from fifth;
• South Korea is the rising star of Asia Pacific exports;
• Despite a record 2014, Russian defence exports are set to drop;
• Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Sweden and Nigeria are the UK’s top trading partners.

http://press.ihs.com/press-release/aerospace-defense-terrorism/saudi-arabia-replaces-india-largest-defence-market-us-ihs-