News / A Simple Question

Britain world’s second biggest arms dealer

Sunday, 18 September 2016 8:35 AM [ Last Update: Sunday, 18 September 2016 8:35 AM ]

A file photo of a Eurofighter Typhoon, of the type the UK sold to Saudi Arabia.

According to UK Trade and Investment, which promotes British exports overseas, since 2006, the UK’s average arms sales has exceeded Russia, China, and France and is second only to the US.

Analysis by The Independent newspaper and Campaign Against the Arms Trade show that between 2010-2015, the British government sold £10 billion in arms licenses to at least 39 of the 51 countries that have been ranked “not free” on the US-based Freedom House’s “Freedom in the world” report. The Foreign Office lists “human rights priority countries” with what it calls “the worst, or greatest number of, human rights violations.” It includes Saudi Arabia and Israel.

The Independent newspaper says the Saudis have bought £3 bilion of British bombs, missiles and fighter jets, which have been used in Yemen, where 10,000 people have been killed since March 2015. The UK has provided the Israeli regime with drone components and targeting equipment. Repressive Bahrain has also received British machine guns, and special police training used to curb an uprising against the ruling Al Khalifa family.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk