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| Military spending sets new record | Military spending sets new record |
| (3 days later) | |
| Global military spending rose 4% in 2008 to a record $1,464bn (£914bn) - up 45% since 1999, according to the Stockholm-based peace institute Sipri. | Global military spending rose 4% in 2008 to a record $1,464bn (£914bn) - up 45% since 1999, according to the Stockholm-based peace institute Sipri. |
| In contrast with civilian aerospace and airlines, the defence industry remains healthy. | In contrast with civilian aerospace and airlines, the defence industry remains healthy. |
| "The global financial crisis has yet to have an impact on major arms companies' revenues, profits and order backlogs," Sipri said. | "The global financial crisis has yet to have an impact on major arms companies' revenues, profits and order backlogs," Sipri said. |
| Peace-keeping operations - which also benefit defence firms - rose 11%. | Peace-keeping operations - which also benefit defence firms - rose 11%. |
| Missions were launched in trouble spots such as Darfur and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. | Missions were launched in trouble spots such as Darfur and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. |
| "Another record was set, with the total of international peace operation personnel reaching 187,586," said Sipri, or Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. | "Another record was set, with the total of international peace operation personnel reaching 187,586," said Sipri, or Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. |
| Growth industry | Growth industry |
| As the world's aerospace and defence industry prepares for next week's Paris air show centenary, it seems much of the focus is set to shift away from troubled civilian aircraft makers, which are struggling with reduced orders from recession-hit airlines, towards the companies that make fighter jets and other military hardware. | As the world's aerospace and defence industry prepares for next week's Paris air show centenary, it seems much of the focus is set to shift away from troubled civilian aircraft makers, which are struggling with reduced orders from recession-hit airlines, towards the companies that make fighter jets and other military hardware. |
| The top 10 global arms producers Boeing $30.5bnBAE Systems $29.9bnLockheed Martin $29.4bnNorthrop Grumman$24.6bnGeneral Dynamics $21.5bnRaytheon $19.5bnEADS (West Europe) $13.1bnL-3 Communications $11.2bnFinmeccanica $9.9bnThales $9.4bn Source: Sipri href="/2/hi/business/8050737.stm">The purchasing power of peace Source: Sipri. All figures from 2007. | |
| In total, the 100 leading defence manufacturers sold arms worth $347bn during 2007, the most recent year for which reliable data are available. | In total, the 100 leading defence manufacturers sold arms worth $347bn during 2007, the most recent year for which reliable data are available. |
| Almost all the companies were American or European. Some 61% of the total was accounted for by 44 US companies, with 32 West European companies accounting for a further 31%. Other companies were Russian, Japanese, Israeli and Indian. | Almost all the companies were American or European. Some 61% of the total was accounted for by 44 US companies, with 32 West European companies accounting for a further 31%. Other companies were Russian, Japanese, Israeli and Indian. |
| "Since 2002, the value of the top 100 arms sales has increased by 37% in real terms," Sipri said. "The US presidency of George W Bush... was a period of continuity in the arms industry. This followed a period of consolidation in the 1990s and early 2000s." | "Since 2002, the value of the top 100 arms sales has increased by 37% in real terms," Sipri said. "The US presidency of George W Bush... was a period of continuity in the arms industry. This followed a period of consolidation in the 1990s and early 2000s." |
| The US aerospace and defence giant Boeing remains the world's largest, with arms sales of $30.5bn during 2007. The UK's BAE Systems ranked a close second, with arms sales of $29.9bn, while Lockheed Martin was third with $29.4bn in sales. | The US aerospace and defence giant Boeing remains the world's largest, with arms sales of $30.5bn during 2007. The UK's BAE Systems ranked a close second, with arms sales of $29.9bn, while Lockheed Martin was third with $29.4bn in sales. |
| Big spender | Big spender |
| The top 10 military spenders USA $607bnChina $84.9bnFrance $65.74bnUK $65.35bnRussia $58.6bnGermany $46.87bnJapan $46.38bnItaly $40.69bnSaudi Arabia $38.2bnIndia $30.0bn Source: Sipri. All figures from 2008. | The top 10 military spenders USA $607bnChina $84.9bnFrance $65.74bnUK $65.35bnRussia $58.6bnGermany $46.87bnJapan $46.38bnItaly $40.69bnSaudi Arabia $38.2bnIndia $30.0bn Source: Sipri. All figures from 2008. |
| The US remains the biggest spender, accounting for 58% of the total global spending increase during the decade, though China and Russia have reduced the gap. | The US remains the biggest spender, accounting for 58% of the total global spending increase during the decade, though China and Russia have reduced the gap. |
| Both tripled military spending over the decade, and Russia "is maintaining plans for further increases despite severe economic problems". | Both tripled military spending over the decade, and Russia "is maintaining plans for further increases despite severe economic problems". |
| Military spending in the Middle East fell slightly during 2008, but Sipri saw this as a temporary drop. "Many countries in the region [are] planning major arms purchases," Sipri said. | Military spending in the Middle East fell slightly during 2008, but Sipri saw this as a temporary drop. "Many countries in the region [are] planning major arms purchases," Sipri said. |
| One exception was Iraq, whose military budget rose 133% during 2008 when compared with 2007. "Iraq remains highly dependent on the US for ams supplies, with numerous orders planned," Sipri says. | One exception was Iraq, whose military budget rose 133% during 2008 when compared with 2007. "Iraq remains highly dependent on the US for ams supplies, with numerous orders planned," Sipri says. |
| US military spending accounted for 58% of the total global spending increase during the decade, with extra funds set aside to fight the "war on terror". | US military spending accounted for 58% of the total global spending increase during the decade, with extra funds set aside to fight the "war on terror". |
| In addition, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq cost the US $903bn. | In addition, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq cost the US $903bn. |
| "The idea of the 'war on terror' has encouraged many countries to see their problems through a highly militarised lens, using this to justify high military spending," said Sam Perlo-Freeman, head of the military expenditure project at Sipri, or Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. | "The idea of the 'war on terror' has encouraged many countries to see their problems through a highly militarised lens, using this to justify high military spending," said Sam Perlo-Freeman, head of the military expenditure project at Sipri, or Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. |
| Trouble ahead? | Trouble ahead? |
| High levels of military spending can cause economic difficulties for even the wealthiest of nations, Sipri insisted. | High levels of military spending can cause economic difficulties for even the wealthiest of nations, Sipri insisted. |
| "During the eight-year presidency of George W Bush, US military expenditure increased to the highest level in real terms since World War Two," Sipri said. | "During the eight-year presidency of George W Bush, US military expenditure increased to the highest level in real terms since World War Two," Sipri said. |
| "This increase has contributed to soaring budget deficits," the yearbook states, pointing to how both the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts were funded "primarily through emergency supplemental appropriations outside the regular budgetary process", funded by borrowing. | "This increase has contributed to soaring budget deficits," the yearbook states, pointing to how both the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts were funded "primarily through emergency supplemental appropriations outside the regular budgetary process", funded by borrowing. |
| "Arms companies may face reduced demand in the future if governments cut military spending in response to rising budget deficits," Sipri observed. | "Arms companies may face reduced demand in the future if governments cut military spending in response to rising budget deficits," Sipri observed. |