By Gerard O’Dwyer
HELSINKI — The five biggest arms import countries are now all in Asia, which has become the biggest regional importer of defense equipment and systems, according to a new report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
The report reveals that the volume of worldwide arms transfers was 24 percent higher in the period 2007 to 2011 than in 2002 to 2006, with Asia and the Oceania states (Australia and region) accounting for 44 percent of all global arms imports. Next was Europe at 19 percent, the Middle East at 17 percent, the United States, Canada and South America with 11 percent and Africa at 9 percent.
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