Saudi arms imports jumped 275% in 2011-2015

Arms imports by Saudi Arabia jumped 275 percent in 2011-2015 compared to 2006-2010, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) said in a report released Monday.

The kingdom accounted for seven percent of all imports globally during 2011-2015, making it the world’s second-largest importer behind India during the period. The United Arab Emirates was the fourth largest importer on the list, accounting for 4.6 percent. The main supplier for both GCC nations was the United States.

“A coalition of Arab states is putting mainly US- and European-sourced advanced arms into use in Yemen,” said Pieter Wezeman, Senior Researcher with the SIPRI Arms and Military Expenditure Program.

“Despite low oil prices, large deliveries of arms to the Middle East are scheduled to continue as part of contracts signed in the past five years.”

The UAE increased arms imports by 35 percent, while Qatar increased by 279 percent, and Egypt increased by 37 percent in the same period, the report added.

Write to Matthew Watson at matthew.w@argaamplus.com