World Arms Sales Up 14 Percent in Past 5 Years, Led by U.S.

A Swedish think tank says global arms exports increased 14 percent during the five years to 2015, with the U.S. retaining top position after its sales grew 27 percent from the previous five-year period.

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute says sales from the next biggest exporters, Russia and China, also increased, but fell for numbers four and five, France and Germany.

The top five exporters accounted for 74 percent of all arms sales, with the U.S. and Russia supplying a total of 58 percent.

The think tank said in its report Monday that China saw the largest growth, of 88 percent, during the five-year period.

The five biggest weapons importers were India, Saudi Arabia, China, the United Arab Emirates and Australia.