Global Arms Exports to Iraq, 1960-1990,
Abstract
Many countries, including new arms producers, tuned to Iraq during the 1980s as a major market for their equipment. According to data from the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, the combined purchases of Iran and Iraq during their eight-year war constituted, on average, about one sixth of the world's annual arms exports. Iraq alone imported an average of nearly 12 percent of the world total. Many foreign defense firms relied heavily on these two countries for their export sales. Some of these producers have questionable chances of economic survival if Iraq and other nations in the Middle East reduce their expenditures on weapons. Rather than investing in original research and development by its own scientists and engineers, Iraq imported weapons components illicitly, reverse engineered and modified foreign equipment, and hired foreign specialists to conduct its research and development. Other developing countries have followed this strategy as well, and therefore the Iraqi case is an important one to review.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA253263
Entities
People
- Rachel Schmidt
Organizations
- RAND Corporation