Mubasher: A recent report by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) has shown the increasing flow of arms to the Middle East between 2013 and 2017.

With the growing tensions and conflicts, including the war of terrorism, as well as the geopolitical risks leading to more weaponry acquired by the region’s countries.

Saudi Arabia was the world’s second largest arms importer, with arms imports increasing by 225% compared with the period from 2008 to 2012.

The USA and European countries remain the main arms exporters to the region, as they have supplied over 98% of weapons imported by Saudi Arabia.

Egypt became the third largest importer in the world in the last five years, with imports growing by 215%.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) was the fourth largest importer in 2013–17, while Qatar increased its arms imports and signed several major deals in that period.

The five biggest exporters were the United States, Russia, France, Germany and China, together accounting for 74% of all arms exports in the 2013 to 2017 period.