Sources of Information
UK arms export data
Global, EU & US arms export data
Arms companies
UK arms export data
Information about UK arms exports is available in two main forms - licences that have been granted (or occasionally refused) and actual deliveries. The government also estimates total orders for "defence equipment and services".
Export licences
- CAAT's web application provides the easiest means of accessing this information. The data is sourced from the Dept for Business, Innovation & Skills' UK export licence database
- The government's list of military and dual-use items details the types of equipment that require an export licence, and the government's Strategic Export Controls annual reports provide further background on the export licensing process.
Deliveries
- Overseas trade statistics are provided by HM Revenue & Customs, although they are not easy to navigate
Orders
- Estimated orders for arms and related services are provided by the MoD's Defence Analytical Services and Advice
Arms export promotion
- The government's arms promotion unit, UKTI Defence & Security Organisation (UKTI DSO), has identified priority markets and produced marketing guides for a number of these
Arms embargoes
- The Foreign office has a list of current arms embargoes relevant to the UK
- The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) has a database of international arms embargoes
Global, EU & US arms export data
CAAT uses two main sources for international arms trade figures: SIPRI which uses public sources but does not include components or services; and the US Congressional Research Service (CRS) which uses non-public US Government data. A short comparison of the sources is available here. UN and EU data is also linked below.
- Global: SIPRI's arms transfers database provides lists of specific arms transfers as well as overall values
- Global: US CRS reports: August 2012; previous reports
- Global: UN Register of Conventional Arms
- EU: Annual Reports: December 2012; previous reports
- US: The US Department of State notifies Congress of the intent to export larger volumes of arms. In addition, the US Department of Defense provides daily lists of contracts valued at over $6.5 million. These include exports that are contracted by the US government
Arms companies
Arms companies can be located using CAAT's arms trade map, arms industry directories and lists of exhibitors at arms fairs such as DSEi. Further information can then be found on individual company websites.
- CAAT's arms trade map
- The ADS Defence Directory (ADS is the UK arms industry's trade organisation.)
- The BDEC-online searchable catalogue (BDEC is a directory of UK companies that provide products and services for military forces.)
- The DSEi 2013 arms fair's list of exhibitors
Major arms companies
The largest arms companies have a lot of information in the general and trade media, and the existence (though not the details) of many of their deals will be in the public domain. Researchers have also produced profiles of some of the major companies.
- CAAT - information on some major arms companies
- SIPRI - top 100 arms-producing and military services companies
- Corporate Watch - profiles on BAE & Raytheon
- Campagne tegen Wapenhandel (Netherlands) - EADS
- Crocodyl (US) - many companies
Minor arms companies
If the company is not one of the major arms producers, it often becomes difficult to obtain information. However, local press may have stories and angles that are useful, and investigative journalists, campaign organisations or local activists may have uncovered information on controversial deals. You can obtain information about limited companies from Companies House.
Campaigns against specific companies
There are also UK campaigns about individual companies:
- Smash EDO campaigns against EDO MBM
- Shut Down H&K campaigns against Heckler & Koch
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