Saudi Arabia becomes world’s biggest arms importer

Saudi Arabia overtook India in 2014 as the world’s top importer of defence equipment, according to a new study on defence spending by London-based defence specialists.

The report is published by analysts IHS Jane’s after examining the defence spending across 65 countries. According to the study, Saudi Arabia has spent more than $6.4 billion on defence in 2014, overtaking India on $5.57 billion.

Saudi Arabia’s massive military spending has been fuelled by “unparalleled demand from the emerging economies for military aircraft and an escalation of regional tensions in the Middle East and Asia Pacific,” IHS expert Ben Moores said.

Saudi Arabia has spent 54% more in 2014 on defence import than the previous year. The study also predicts that one out of every seven dollars spent on defence exports in 2015 will be spent by the Middle East kingdom.

Author Profile

India Writes Network: India Writes Network (www.indiawrites.org) is an emerging think tank and a media-publishing company focused on international affairs & the India Story. Centre for Global India Insights is the research arm of India Writes Network. To subscribe to India and the World, write to editor@indiawrites.org. A venture of TGII Media Private Limited, a leading media, publishing and consultancy company, IWN has carved a niche for balanced and exhaustive reporting and analysis of international affairs. Eminent personalities, politicians, diplomats, authors, strategy gurus and news-makers have contributed to India Writes Network, as also “India and the World,” a magazine focused on global affairs.