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Stumble It!What is AMSI and What country is the largest on "World's spending on Arms"?
by sydshahid
We are discussing "Arms Manufacturing and Sale Industry (AMSI)" and its impact on global health. In the last blogs we dicussed the first and second part of it as narrated by Timothy Atkinson MD, Field Director on Control Arms Campaign.
We continue now with the third part i.e. World's largest arms exporters and World's total spending on Arms
World's spending on Arms
Total world spending amounted to $1.858 trillion USD in 2006, with nearly half of the total amount spent by the United States (985.7 B)
World's largest arms exporters
USA is the world's largest exporter of arms (7.454 B), followed by Russia (4.588 B), Germany (3.395 B), France (2.590 B), Netherland (1.355 B), Britain (1.151 B).
Other countries that export arms on a relatively smaller scale are Ukrain (900 M), S.Korea (844 M), Italy (562M), Sweeden (529M), Israel (414M) and China (355M).
What is an Arms Manufacturing and Sales Industry (AMSI)?
The Arms Industry (AMSI) is a global industry and business which manufactures and sells weapons and military technology and equipment. Arms producing companies, also referred to as Defence companies or military industry, produce arms mainly for the armed forces of states. Products include guns, ammunition, missiles, military aircraft, military vehicles, ships, electronic systems, and more. The arms industry also conducts significant research and development.
It is estimated that yearly, over 1 trillion dollars are spent on military expenditures worldwide (2% of World GDP). Part of this goes to the procurement of military hardware and services from the military industry. The combined arms sales of the top 100 largest arms producing companies amounted to an estimated $315 billion in 2006. In 2004 over $30 billion were spent in the international arms trade (a figure that excludes domestic sales of arms). Many industrialized countries have a domestic arms industry to supply their own military forces. Some countries also have a substantial legal or illegal domestic trade in weapons for use by its citizens. The illegal trade in small arms is prevalent in many countries and regions affected by political instability.
Contracts to supply a given country's military are awarded by the government, making arms contracts of substantial political importance. The link between politics and the arms trade can result in the development of what US President Dwight D. Eisenhower described as a military-industrial complex, where the armed forces, commerce, and politics become closely linked. The procurement of “Ams Contracts” is an issue of high sensitivity both politically and economically for the private citizens. Various corporations, some publicly held, others private, bid for these contracts, which are often worth many billions of dollars.
The most sensitive issue for the purpose of this article is the sale (export) of arms to third world countries. In the Cold War Era, arms exports were used by both the Soviet Union and the United States to influence their standings in other countries, particularly Third World Countries. Since the fall of the Soviet Union, global arms exports initially fell slightly, but have since grown again to cold war levels. The United States is the overall top supplier of weapons. The United States is also the top supplier of weapons to the developing world, accounting for around 36% of worldwide weapons sales, followed by Russia, Britain, Germany and China.
The problem in question, however, is not confined to officially supported exports of high level technology equipment such as aircraft and missiles, naval based arms or the sale of land based heavy arms. It is most often the small arms that have been used for domestic repression in armed conflict in the last decade – the vast majority of them civilians and most of them killed by small arms. There is relatively little regulation at the international level, and as a result, many legitimately produced weapons fall into the hands of rebel forces, terrorists, or regimes under sanctions.
Next we will discuss the last part on AMSI which categorically outlines "The Greed" and "The Ethics of the International Arms Trade" and its disastrous impact on human health in the third world countries.
-------------------------------------------------
For comment and questions please write to :
syedshahidmd@yahoo.com.au
P.S. I must thank all of those readers who send me comments and questions. I must tell them that their inspiring comments and questions are highly appreciated. Please continue to write, preferably via email.
Thanks
Sydshahid
We continue now with the third part i.e. World's largest arms exporters and World's total spending on Arms
World's spending on Arms
Total world spending amounted to $1.858 trillion USD in 2006, with nearly half of the total amount spent by the United States (985.7 B)
World's largest arms exporters
USA is the world's largest exporter of arms (7.454 B), followed by Russia (4.588 B), Germany (3.395 B), France (2.590 B), Netherland (1.355 B), Britain (1.151 B).
Other countries that export arms on a relatively smaller scale are Ukrain (900 M), S.Korea (844 M), Italy (562M), Sweeden (529M), Israel (414M) and China (355M).
What is an Arms Manufacturing and Sales Industry (AMSI)?
The Arms Industry (AMSI) is a global industry and business which manufactures and sells weapons and military technology and equipment. Arms producing companies, also referred to as Defence companies or military industry, produce arms mainly for the armed forces of states. Products include guns, ammunition, missiles, military aircraft, military vehicles, ships, electronic systems, and more. The arms industry also conducts significant research and development.
It is estimated that yearly, over 1 trillion dollars are spent on military expenditures worldwide (2% of World GDP). Part of this goes to the procurement of military hardware and services from the military industry. The combined arms sales of the top 100 largest arms producing companies amounted to an estimated $315 billion in 2006. In 2004 over $30 billion were spent in the international arms trade (a figure that excludes domestic sales of arms). Many industrialized countries have a domestic arms industry to supply their own military forces. Some countries also have a substantial legal or illegal domestic trade in weapons for use by its citizens. The illegal trade in small arms is prevalent in many countries and regions affected by political instability.
Contracts to supply a given country's military are awarded by the government, making arms contracts of substantial political importance. The link between politics and the arms trade can result in the development of what US President Dwight D. Eisenhower described as a military-industrial complex, where the armed forces, commerce, and politics become closely linked. The procurement of “Ams Contracts” is an issue of high sensitivity both politically and economically for the private citizens. Various corporations, some publicly held, others private, bid for these contracts, which are often worth many billions of dollars.
The most sensitive issue for the purpose of this article is the sale (export) of arms to third world countries. In the Cold War Era, arms exports were used by both the Soviet Union and the United States to influence their standings in other countries, particularly Third World Countries. Since the fall of the Soviet Union, global arms exports initially fell slightly, but have since grown again to cold war levels. The United States is the overall top supplier of weapons. The United States is also the top supplier of weapons to the developing world, accounting for around 36% of worldwide weapons sales, followed by Russia, Britain, Germany and China.
The problem in question, however, is not confined to officially supported exports of high level technology equipment such as aircraft and missiles, naval based arms or the sale of land based heavy arms. It is most often the small arms that have been used for domestic repression in armed conflict in the last decade – the vast majority of them civilians and most of them killed by small arms. There is relatively little regulation at the international level, and as a result, many legitimately produced weapons fall into the hands of rebel forces, terrorists, or regimes under sanctions.
Next we will discuss the last part on AMSI which categorically outlines "The Greed" and "The Ethics of the International Arms Trade" and its disastrous impact on human health in the third world countries.
-------------------------------------------------
For comment and questions please write to :
syedshahidmd@yahoo.com.au
P.S. I must thank all of those readers who send me comments and questions. I must tell them that their inspiring comments and questions are highly appreciated. Please continue to write, preferably via email.
Thanks
Sydshahid
Posted 6/26/2009 7:15:08 PM
About the Author
Syed Shahid MD
View profile
Perth, WA
About the Author
Syed Shahid MD
View profile
Perth, WA
Interests: Dr Sydney Shahid has many interests. He ejoys reading scietific magazines. He likes to keep himself busy with latest medical researches. He has special interest in Alzheimer’s illness. he has strong evidence that this tragedy can be delayed (if not prevented) for as long as 25 - 30 years and even longer, if one follows Dr Shahid’d six principles of health faithfully.
He likes to make friends with those who have similar interests as his. He has few friends and they all appreciate what he is doing for humanity.
He believes in positive thinking. In his opinion one must pursue those interests which make one believe in oneself.
He loves to play tennis, table tennis and cricket if he can find time.
Travelling is his other interest. He has travelled all over the world. He enjoys different cultures and their varied way of life.
Lately world politics has become his passion. He wishes to see peace in the world but he doesn’t think it is possible because of the greed in the mind of most of the industrialised nations who are exploiting third world countries.
He is also interested in writing a book about his Six Principle of Health (EUREKA). He is already in the process of making it happen. He wants the whole world to know his secret of healthy long life.
This blog is written by an individual Wellness.com forum member and does not necessarily state the views of Wellness.com Incorporated or any of its affiliates.
Community Comments!
7/1/2009 1:00:26 AM
A recent press release has been encouraging in that three NGO's have taken initiative to curb the proliferation of arms sales in third world countries.
Renewed Efforts to Curb a Global Trade
LONDON, October 9, 2008 Concerns over arms proliferation have led three nongovernmental organizations to launch a campaign seeking to limit this trade. Amnesty International, Oxfam, and the International Action Network on Small Arms announced the initiative in England on Oct. 9.
The three organizations will be active on the issue in more than 50 countries, a press release said. The Control Arms campaign aims to reduce arms proliferation and misuse and to convince governments to introduce a binding arms trade treaty.
The NGOs contend that current arms export controls are riddled with loopholes. The availability of arms both increases the incidence of armed violence and prolongs wars once they break out, they argue. Moreover, they point out that efforts to fight international terrorism are actually stimulating arms sales, regardless of human rights or development concerns.
"The arms trade is out of control," said Barbara Stocking, director of Oxfam. "It is a global problem with horrific local consequences -- and it is poor people who suffer the most. An arms trade treaty is desperately needed, to stop the flow of arms to abusers and to help make all our societies safer."
A briefing published to coincide with the campaign launch noted that one-third of countries spend more on the military than they do on health-care services. The problem is particularly acute in developing nations. An average of $22 billion a year is spent on arms by countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. Just half of this amount would enable every child in those regions to go to primary school. Overall, 42% of countries with the highest defense burden rank among the lowest in human development.
Sydshahid
A recent press release has been encouraging in that three NGO's have taken initiative to curb the proliferation of arms sales in third world countries.
Renewed Efforts to Curb a Global Trade
LONDON, October 9, 2008 Concerns over arms proliferation have led three nongovernmental organizations to launch a campaign seeking to limit this trade. Amnesty International, Oxfam, and the International Action Network on Small Arms announced the initiative in England on Oct. 9.
The three organizations will be active on the issue in more than 50 countries, a press release said. The Control Arms campaign aims to reduce arms proliferation and misuse and to convince governments to introduce a binding arms trade treaty.
The NGOs contend that current arms export controls are riddled with loopholes. The availability of arms both increases the incidence of armed violence and prolongs wars once they break out, they argue. Moreover, they point out that efforts to fight international terrorism are actually stimulating arms sales, regardless of human rights or development concerns.
"The arms trade is out of control," said Barbara Stocking, director of Oxfam. "It is a global problem with horrific local consequences -- and it is poor people who suffer the most. An arms trade treaty is desperately needed, to stop the flow of arms to abusers and to help make all our societies safer."
A briefing published to coincide with the campaign launch noted that one-third of countries spend more on the military than they do on health-care services. The problem is particularly acute in developing nations. An average of $22 billion a year is spent on arms by countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. Just half of this amount would enable every child in those regions to go to primary school. Overall, 42% of countries with the highest defense burden rank among the lowest in human development.
Sydshahid
Adamrod 7/1/2009 6:55:00 PM
Thank you Dr Shahid for bringing up front the menace of small arms trade in the third world countries. The medical world is greatly affected (directly and indirectly) in the third world by the illicit abuse of small arms.
I have been reading with great interest your commentary in three parts on AMSI that reflects their greed graphically.
I have been able to get some material to outline the efforts of United Nations that fully understand the current problem facing the third world. Unfortunately so far their efforts have been ineffective and unsuccessful.
As a medical doctor posted in many African countries on UN mission, I understand the enormity of the problem facing the medical world propagated by the greed of AMSI.
Here is the outline illustrated by the United Nations.
Illicit Small arms trade in Africa fuels conflict, contributes to poverty, stalls development, say speakers on second day of un review conference
The United Nations conference targeting the $1 billion-a-year illicit trade in small arms continued today with speakers from the African continent among those calling urgently for a global crack down on illegal arms dealers and tighter arms regulations -- especially the activities of brokers -- whose deadly wares often fell into the hands of non-State actors and fuelled conflict, contributed to poverty, and stalled development in their fragile countries.
On day two of the General Assembly’s review of worldwide efforts to implement the Programme of Action of its 2001 special session on preventing, combating and eradicating the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects, diplomats from developing countries -– some emerging from conflict and others coping with the fallout from bloody civil strife -- called for transparency and accountability in small arms production and transfers, weapons registries, and an international code of conduct to help them stem the massive flows of small arms circulating throughout their countries and moving unchecked across porous borders.
Many would agree that Liberia was one of the countries best placed to testify to the devastating breadth of the small arms scourge, said Conmay Wesseh, Deputy Minister for International Cooperation and Economic Integration in the long-troubled West African country’s Foreign Affairs Ministry. He painted a vivid picture of his homeland’s brutal 14-year civil war, which had been fuelled by illegal guns and light artillery.
One of the more tragic consequences had been that youth had borne the brunt of the armed violence, and they were still suffering -- struggling to cope with high HIV/AIDS rates, low levels of education and poor employment.
Despite the unprecedented impediments, Liberia had committed itself to tackling the proliferation of, and traffic in, small arms. The new Government -- the first on the African continent to be headed by a woman, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf -- was actively erecting barriers to stem the flow of small arms and promote the aims of the United Nations Programme of Action. Liberia was also tackling one of the major fallouts from the illicit flow of small arms by trying to create jobs in order to keep its children and youth from falling prey to charlatans, traffickers and demigods that were still looking for ways to drag the country back into war.
The Minister to the President Responsible for National Defence, Former Fighters and the Disabled of War of the Congo, Jacques Yvon Ndolou, said Africa was aware that it must face the scourge of illicit small arms and light weapons on a collective basis, as evidenced by the December 2000 signing of the Bamako Declaration. The proliferation of firearms was contagious and was a major cause of insecurity in Central Africa. During the 1993-1999 civil war and conflict in the Congo, approximately 74,000 weapons had been acquired by the militia. The country was doing its utmost to end the illicit circulation of firearms and implement the Programme of Action.
MIRIAM ZIV (Israel) said that, while various regions had consolidated efforts to implement the Programme of Action and combat the illicit trade of small arms and light weapons, such achievements had not yet materialized in the Middle East nor had illicit transfers of such weapons been reduced in the region.
Israel, which continued to suffer from terrorism, was profoundly concerned that such weapons were still available to terrorist groups in the region. Political will remained the main challenge to implementing the Programme of Action in the Middle East. Blocking the illicit transfer of such weapons to terrorist groups must be a priority of the international community.
Israel was ready to work with other Member States to identify standards for transfer control that would effectively reduce the illicit trade. Such standards could include implementation of the marking and tracing instruments, full compliance with United Nations Security Council arms embargos, assessment of the risk of diversion to illicit end-users, a ban on the transfer of MANPADS to non-State actors, and satisfactory management and control of stockpiles, among others.
-------------------------------------------
Thanks again for your excellent article exposing the greed of AMSI. I shall be looking forward to the last part 4 of your commentary as narrated by Timothy Atkinson MD, Field Director on Control Arms Campaign.
Adam Rodriguez MD
I have been reading with great interest your commentary in three parts on AMSI that reflects their greed graphically.
I have been able to get some material to outline the efforts of United Nations that fully understand the current problem facing the third world. Unfortunately so far their efforts have been ineffective and unsuccessful.
As a medical doctor posted in many African countries on UN mission, I understand the enormity of the problem facing the medical world propagated by the greed of AMSI.
Here is the outline illustrated by the United Nations.
Illicit Small arms trade in Africa fuels conflict, contributes to poverty, stalls development, say speakers on second day of un review conference
The United Nations conference targeting the $1 billion-a-year illicit trade in small arms continued today with speakers from the African continent among those calling urgently for a global crack down on illegal arms dealers and tighter arms regulations -- especially the activities of brokers -- whose deadly wares often fell into the hands of non-State actors and fuelled conflict, contributed to poverty, and stalled development in their fragile countries.
On day two of the General Assembly’s review of worldwide efforts to implement the Programme of Action of its 2001 special session on preventing, combating and eradicating the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects, diplomats from developing countries -– some emerging from conflict and others coping with the fallout from bloody civil strife -- called for transparency and accountability in small arms production and transfers, weapons registries, and an international code of conduct to help them stem the massive flows of small arms circulating throughout their countries and moving unchecked across porous borders.
Many would agree that Liberia was one of the countries best placed to testify to the devastating breadth of the small arms scourge, said Conmay Wesseh, Deputy Minister for International Cooperation and Economic Integration in the long-troubled West African country’s Foreign Affairs Ministry. He painted a vivid picture of his homeland’s brutal 14-year civil war, which had been fuelled by illegal guns and light artillery.
One of the more tragic consequences had been that youth had borne the brunt of the armed violence, and they were still suffering -- struggling to cope with high HIV/AIDS rates, low levels of education and poor employment.
Despite the unprecedented impediments, Liberia had committed itself to tackling the proliferation of, and traffic in, small arms. The new Government -- the first on the African continent to be headed by a woman, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf -- was actively erecting barriers to stem the flow of small arms and promote the aims of the United Nations Programme of Action. Liberia was also tackling one of the major fallouts from the illicit flow of small arms by trying to create jobs in order to keep its children and youth from falling prey to charlatans, traffickers and demigods that were still looking for ways to drag the country back into war.
The Minister to the President Responsible for National Defence, Former Fighters and the Disabled of War of the Congo, Jacques Yvon Ndolou, said Africa was aware that it must face the scourge of illicit small arms and light weapons on a collective basis, as evidenced by the December 2000 signing of the Bamako Declaration. The proliferation of firearms was contagious and was a major cause of insecurity in Central Africa. During the 1993-1999 civil war and conflict in the Congo, approximately 74,000 weapons had been acquired by the militia. The country was doing its utmost to end the illicit circulation of firearms and implement the Programme of Action.
MIRIAM ZIV (Israel) said that, while various regions had consolidated efforts to implement the Programme of Action and combat the illicit trade of small arms and light weapons, such achievements had not yet materialized in the Middle East nor had illicit transfers of such weapons been reduced in the region.
Israel, which continued to suffer from terrorism, was profoundly concerned that such weapons were still available to terrorist groups in the region. Political will remained the main challenge to implementing the Programme of Action in the Middle East. Blocking the illicit transfer of such weapons to terrorist groups must be a priority of the international community.
Israel was ready to work with other Member States to identify standards for transfer control that would effectively reduce the illicit trade. Such standards could include implementation of the marking and tracing instruments, full compliance with United Nations Security Council arms embargos, assessment of the risk of diversion to illicit end-users, a ban on the transfer of MANPADS to non-State actors, and satisfactory management and control of stockpiles, among others.
-------------------------------------------
Thanks again for your excellent article exposing the greed of AMSI. I shall be looking forward to the last part 4 of your commentary as narrated by Timothy Atkinson MD, Field Director on Control Arms Campaign.
Adam Rodriguez MD
7/5/2009 7:55:50 PM
Thank you Dr Rodriguez for your valuable comments.
I am introducing the 4th and the last part on "Greed of AMSI" as narrated by Timothy Atkinson MD, Field Director on Control Arms Campaign. It clarifies the dilemma facing the concerned people like you. Health issues become highly significant in the light of what goes on in the greedy mind of AMSI.
Generally there is little difficulty in understanding the argument behind ethically justifying a country's entitlement to produce or to purchase, or even to market, weapons for the preservation of internal order (defense). In practice, however, the international arms industry gives considerable cause for ethical misgivings, by selling arms to illicit regimes and even to the terrorists overtly and covertly. As someone very wisely put,
"It is difficult to escape from the notion that the primary factor behind the international sale of arms is the generation of profits and greed. If companies are left unchecked, there is considerable evidence that companies will exploit commercial opportunities to the detriment of ethical considerations and human health and innocent human lives."
Thanks again and please drop in any time to give your most welcome opinion on these issues.
sydshahid
Thank you Dr Rodriguez for your valuable comments.
I am introducing the 4th and the last part on "Greed of AMSI" as narrated by Timothy Atkinson MD, Field Director on Control Arms Campaign. It clarifies the dilemma facing the concerned people like you. Health issues become highly significant in the light of what goes on in the greedy mind of AMSI.
Generally there is little difficulty in understanding the argument behind ethically justifying a country's entitlement to produce or to purchase, or even to market, weapons for the preservation of internal order (defense). In practice, however, the international arms industry gives considerable cause for ethical misgivings, by selling arms to illicit regimes and even to the terrorists overtly and covertly. As someone very wisely put,
"It is difficult to escape from the notion that the primary factor behind the international sale of arms is the generation of profits and greed. If companies are left unchecked, there is considerable evidence that companies will exploit commercial opportunities to the detriment of ethical considerations and human health and innocent human lives."
Thanks again and please drop in any time to give your most welcome opinion on these issues.
sydshahid
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