China replaces Britain in world's top five arms exporters

Not sure if this was posted but here it is as the search didn't yield any results. Thanks to copyright violations and espionage They seem to be on track with their goals. All these preparations and arms export has to mean something. Either everyone is preparing and/or strenghtening their militaries as the economies shrink around the world.

China has become the world's fifth-largest arms exporter, a respected Sweden-based think-tank said on Monday, its highest ranking since the Cold War, with Pakistan the main recipient.

China's volume of weapons exports between 2008 and 2012 rose 162 percent compared with the previous five-year period, with its share of the global arms trade rising from 2 percent to 5 percent, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) said.

China replaces Britain in the top five arms-dealing countries between 2008 and 2012, a group dominated by the United States and Russia, which accounted for 30 percent and 26 percent of weapons exports, SIPRI said.

SOURCE

China’s arms exports in 2008-2012 grew by 162% compared to the previous five years, with most of them — 55% — going to Pakistan.
“China’s rise has been driven primarily by large-scale arms acquisitions by Pakistan,” Paul Holtom, a research director at SIPRI said in a press release.

“A number of recent deals indicate that China is establishing itself as a significant arms supplier to a growing number of important recipient states.”

Pakistan has long been China’s key ally in South Asia. The report also named Myanmar, Bangladesh and Venezuela as importers of Chinese arms.

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Whats your point OP? I am supprised that it has taken China so long to make it to the "top 5". Commiserations to the UK. Better luck next year!!

Countries always want and buy arms whether they have the money or not.

Originally posted by ispyed
Whats your point OP? I am supprised that it has taken China so long to make it to the "top 5". Commiserations to the UK. Better luck next year!!Countries always want and buy arms whether they have the money or not.

No point just posting the changing status of the Chinese influence in the region and global arms market. It is true that countries always want and buy arms. However do not forget that there is a growing territorial tensions in the SE region at the moment.