In a global report, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) stated that Turkey increased its weapons exports by 170%.

The government has forced people into a severe financial crisis on one hand, and spent huge amounts of money in armament on the other.

SIPRI’s report includes global weapons trade volumes, which show that in the 2014-18 period the global volume of weapons trade increased by 7.8% from the 2009-13 period.

The weapons export champions of 2014-18 were the US, Russia, France, Germany and China. Turkey was at 14th place with a 170% increase. The United Arab Emirates were Turkey’s biggest export partner, with 30% of sales, followed by Turkmenistan with 23% and Saudi Arabia with 10%.

The top five weapons importers were Saudi Arabia, India, Egypt, Australia and Algeria. Turkey imported 21% less in the 2014-18 period, coming in 13th in the top weapons importers.

The report shows that Turkey imported 60% of weapons from the US in the 2014-18 period, followed by 17% from Spain and 13% from Italy. SIPRI also stated that Turkish weapons manufacturers increased their profits by 24% in 2018.

Weapons transfers to the Middle East increased by 87% in 2014-18 compared to 2009-13. The report shows that 52% of the US’ total weapons exports have been to the Middle East.