STOCKHOLM — Sales of arms and military services by the largest arms-producing companies—the SIPRI Top 100—continued to increase in 2010 to reach $411.1 billion, according to new data on international arms production released today by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).The total arms sales (including sales of military services) of the SIPRI Top 100 maintained their upward trend in 2010, although at 1 per cent in real terms, the increase was much slower than in 2009. Over the period since 2002, the increase has been 60 per cent in real terms.
Arms-producing and military services companies from North America and Western Europe once again dominated the list (which however does not include China-based companies). Sales by the 44 US-based companies accounted for over 60 per cent of all arms sales by the Top 100 arms-producing companies in 2010. The 29 companies based in Western Europe, accounted for another 30 per cent.
The global arms industry continues to be highly concentrated, with the top 10 arms-producing companies, accounting for 56 per cent, or $230 billion, of total Top 100 arms sales. Read More
