The World's Arms Manufacturers Are Booming

Arms Manufacturers Boom Despite The Recession -- Deutsche Welle

As the world economy declined, the defense industry's top players recorded year-on-year growth of 8 percent in 2009. Most of these arms companies are based in the US and Western Europe, where the recession hit hardest.

The world's top 100 arms-producing companies sold goods worth $401 billion (293 billion euros) in 2009, according to figures released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

"If you look at the amount of energy and support that goes into getting arms sales completed by governments, it's a small industry with a big footprint," Susan Jackson, the SIPRI report's author told Deutsche Welle.

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More News On The World's Arms Trade

Global arms sales passed $400 billion in 2009: think tank -- AFP
Global arms sales 'rose as recession hit' -- The Guardian
Global arms exporters unfazed by recession, says SIPRI -- UPI
Despite Recession: Top Global Arms Industry Increases Sales -- Defpro
Global Arms Industry Sales Increased During Recession -- Neon Tommy
New report shows arms sales growing despite crisis -- Bloomberg
Global Arms Spending Rose 60% From 2002 to 2009, Guardian Says -- Bloomberg