Introduction to the Arms Trade

The arms trade is a deadly, corrupt business. It supports conflict and human rights-abusing regimes while wasting valuable resources. It does this with the full support of governments around the world.

A Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet on display at the Farnborough International Airshow, a biennial UK arms fair

The arms trade is dominated by the five permanent members of the UN Security Council: China, France, Russia, UK and the US, along with Germany and, increasingly, Israel. The permanent members alone account for around three quarters of exported arms. This introduction will focus on the UK, which is one of the world’s largest arms exporters.

Around $100 billion worth of arms are sold every year, with buyers spread across the world. Some of the largest purchasers are in the Middle East and South and East Asia. The arms themselves range from fighter aircraft, helicopters and warships with guided missiles, radar and electronic warfare systems, to tanks, armoured vehicles, machine guns and rifles.

There is often confusion about the legality of the arms trade, with the impression given that it is the illegal trade that is damaging while the legal trade is tightly controlled and acceptable. However, the vast majority of arms sold around the world, including those to human rights-abusing governments or into conflict areas, are not only legal, but also actively supported by complicit governments.