The growth of arms sales slowed to one percent in 2010 among the world's 100 largest arms manufacturers, after the withdrawal of foreign troops from Iraq, according to published data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
By comparison, gun sales rose four percent in 2009 and over 10 percent in 2008.
Data in SIPRI's published annual report on the arms industry show that the US company Lockheed remained the largest weapons seller in 2010 with sales of $35,73 billion, ahead of British BAE Systems and Boeing.
Institute expert Susan Jackson said the withdrawal of foreign troops from Iraq mainly affected those arms manufacturers that provide military services, such as systems support, training, repair and logistics.
She said that the financial crisis did not affect military budgets much in 2010.
List of the 10 biggest gun sellers of 2010
- Lockheed Martin, USA, $35,73 billion
- BAE Systems, Britain, 32,88
- Boeing, USA, 31,36
- Northorp Grumman, USA, 28,15
- General Dynamics (General Dynamics), USA, 23,94
- Raytheon, USA, 22,98
- EADS, (Europe), 16,36
- Finmečanica, Italy, 14,41
- L-3 Communications (Communications) USA, 13,07
- United Technologies (United Technologies) USA, 11,41
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