According to a study published by respected IHS Jane’ Defence and Security forecast, global arms trade has increased by 30% between 2008 and 2013 from 56.5 billion dollars to 76.5 billion dollars, despite the economic downturn in all the economies of the world. The study also forecasted that, ‘At this rate, defense trade between countries will have more than doubled by 2020.’

The study also found out that weapons spending in China and other Asia Pacific countries have considerably increased and by 2021, Asia Pacific region will overtake the United States and Canada. Spending in the region is expected to rise 35 percent above its 2013 level to $501 billion, outstripping North America.

While the spending in Asia rose, it fell back in Western Europe where exports were sharply down in the given period.

The United States remained the world’s biggest exporter of weapons in 2012 with $28.5 bn, up from $20.1 bn four years earlier. In the meantime, India was the world’s biggest importer of arms in 2012, showing a giant leap of 70 percent since 2008, from $3.1 bn to $5.3 bn.

The study also showed the increased in Chinese spending on arms as its own production capabilities have considerably increased and it is also the reason that its exports have doubled since 2008. But in the region, the biggest exporter of arms is South Korea which increased its exports by giant 688 percent, putting it into the global top 20 with $753 million.

Last year, Israel was ranked sixth in the global league of arms exports, with sales of $2.4 bn comparing to $1.38 bn sales of 2008 and it predominantly traded with India. The study also predicts that it will sell twice as many drones as the United States in 2014 and will become the biggest exporter of unmanned aircraft by the end of 2013.

The study also mentioned some of the other importers and exporters of global arms trade and the shifts in this trade. Whatever may be the balance of this dangerous trade, the study shows the grave reality that world powers are still more interested in their market shares and financial gains than the protection and security of the world. This fact is also evident by the increasing wars and armed conflicts enraged all across the globe where billions of dollars are being spent on arms and ammunition. Such figures show the true face of different countries of the world and it also shows the role of the United Nations in this regard. Even in the presence of a body aimed to bring peace in the world, such expansion in arms trade is really alarming. Sooner or later, world powers will have to sit and think of the peace and stability in the world instead of their trade benefits.