Trends in Conventional Arms Transfers to the Third World by Major Supplier, 1978-1985
Abstract
Most arms suppliers registered declines between 1984 and 1985 in the value of their arms transfer agreements with the Third World. The value of U.S. arms transfer agreements declined to $5.3 billion in 1985, from $7.1 billion in 1984. For the second year in a row, a major West European arms supplier ranked second among all arms suppliers to the Third World, making more sales agreements than the United States (United Kingdom in 1985, France in 1984). The United Kingdom registered a substantial increase in its share of Third World arms transfer agreements between 1984 and 1985. This increase was attributable principally to a multibillion dollar aircraft contract with Saudi Arabia. Both the Soviet Union and France experienced notable declines in their shares of Third World arms transfer agreements between 1984 and 1985. The four Major West European suppliers (France, United Kingdom, West Germany, and Italy), as a group, increased their share of Third World arms transfer agreements between 1984 and 1985. The value of all arms transfer agreements with the Third World in 1985 ($29.9 billion) was the lowest total for any year since 1978, though only slightly lower than the level of 1983 ($30 billion). The Near East and South Asia region is the greatest Third World arms market. In 1982-1985 it accounted for over 75% of the total value of all Third World arms transfer agreements. In the Near East and South Asia region between 1982-1985, the United States had the largest share of arms transfer agreements of any single supplier with 26%. Arms transfer agreements with the Latin American region became much more polarized during 1982-1985 than they had been during 1978-1981. The value of all nonCommunist nations' arms transfer agreements with the Third World has exceeded that of such agreements by all Communist nations every year since 1978. The value of all arms deliveries to the Third World in 1985 was the lowest of any year since 1978.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA497148
Entities
People
- Richard F. Grimmett
Organizations
- Library of Congress