© SIPRI The SIPRI Arms Transfers Database Mark Bromley, SIPRI 14 April 2008
© SIPRI Overview … Introduce the SIPRI Arms Transfers Database Data on transfers to OAS member states Purpose of the Arms Transfers Database OSCE reporting mechanism
© SIPRI The SIPRI Arms Transfers Database Aircraft: all fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. Armoured vehicles: all vehicles with integral armour protection. Artillery: with a calibre of 100 mm or more. Sensors: with a range of at least 25 kilometres. Air defence systems: surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems all guns with a calibre of 40 mm or more. Missiles: all powered, guided missiles and torpedoes with conventional warheads Ships: all ships with a standard tonnage of 100 tonnes or more Engines: for military aircraft, combat ships and most armoured vehicles.
© SIPRI How we do it … Sources include: newspapers; periodicals and journals; books; monographs and annual reference works; and official national and international documents. These include: defence white papers; the UN Register on Conventional Arms (UNROCA).
© SIPRI
Can be used to generate … Trade registers: give information on each deal included in the database. Trend Indicator Value (TIV) tables: Statistical data which provide an indication of the volume of arms transferred..
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Why do we do it … To show the evolving relationships between different suppliers and recipients To reveal where countries in conflict are getting their weapons from To help to analyse how states are implementing their export control regulations To uncover destabilizing build ups of weapons are occurring Also… To prompt states to publish and share more and more detailed information on acquisitions, transfers and holdings …
© SIPRI OSCE Exchange of Military Information … Agreed in Covers: Command organisation; personnel levels; military holdings; deployment plans; defence plans; and defence budgets
© SIPRI Potential lessons learned … Taking the opportunity to develop these mechanisms when the opportunity arises Recognising the limits of what they can achieve Engaged organisational secretatriat and engaged member states Politically vs legally binding instruments?