Non-standard Sources for Arms Production and Arms Trade Data

Abstract

Even though there are a range of useful sources on defence economics data, only some of them are used widely. Themain sources of export, import and output data sets are Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), WorldMilitary Expenditures and Arms Transfers-US Department of State (WMEAT), European Statistical Office (EUROSTAT) andUnited Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) while SIPRI and WMEAT are for military expenditures.This paper discusses the main features and similarities of data sets from the various sources. Like other industrial/sector data sets, the main problem for arms data sets is revisions of industrial classifications, which prevent thecreation of long time series.