Saudi Arabia became the first country in the world of military equipments imports in 2014

Posted On
Defence & Security News - Saudi Arabia
 
Saudi Arabia became the first country in the world of military equipments imports in 2014.
Saudi Arabia surpassed India and became the first country in the world in military equipments imports in 2014, Elaf news portal reported Sunday, March 8, 2015.Saudi Arabia has became the world's largest weapon importers with the purchase of military equipments worth 6.4 billion U.S. dollars.
     
Saudi Arabia surpassed India and became the first country in the world in military equipments imports in 2014, Elaf news portal reported Sunday, March 8, 2015.Saudi Arabia has became the world's largest weapon importers with the purchase of military equipments worth 6.4 billion U.S. dollars. A Saudi Arabian (HMMWV) with a QCB machine gun mounted on top depart for the seaport of Mogadishu in Somalia.
     

The oil-rich country surpassed India (5.5 billion dollars) to become the most important market to the United States, said the report, based on an HIS Jane's report released Sudday.

The report predicts that Saudi Arabia to remain on top with 9.8 billion dollars' spending by the end of this year.

Meanwhile the newspaper highlighted the reason of the rising demands to the uncertainty and disturbances in surrounding countries such as Syria, Iraq and Yemen.

The report also indicates that one of each seven dollars Saudi Arabia spends has been used to buy weapons.

According a report from the SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute), from 2009 to 2013, Saudi Arabia has purchased 84 LCTS90 weapon systems from CMI Defence (Belgium), 724 Piranha 8x8 armoured personnel carrier (LAV-25), 54 PLZ-45 155mm self-propelled howitzer (China), 36 Nemo turret 120mm mortar, 132 CAESAR 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer (France), 20 Ground Master-60 radar (France), 800 Mistral air defense missile system, 49 MPCV mobile air defense missile system, 191 Aravis 4x4 armoured vehicle personnel carrier.

The report also includes combat helicopters, aircraft, and many types of ammunitions. The list does not include military equipment purchased in 2014.