Air sector drives United Kingdom’s best performance in defense exports in five years; IHS Jane Report: Asia-Pacific defense budgets to bypass North America by 2021
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    • (JUNE 24-30)

    According to reports, United Kingdom has recorded its best defense sales in five years in 2012. The figures released by the British government’s Defence and Security Organisation (DSO) show defense exports totaled £8.8 billion (US $13.6 billion), a 62 percent increase from 2011. Notably, security sales advanced 4 percent in a global market that advanced overall by 3 percent during the year. The upward spiral in defense sales was the result of Hawk jet trainer sales to Saudi Arabia alongside Typhoon and Hawk sales to Oman. According to the DSO figures, maritime sales remained static, and land equipment exports halved. Overall, the figures emphasize how reliant UK is on the air sector for retaining its position among the world’s defense export elite. 1
    In another development, according to a report, defense budgets in the Asia-Pacific region will overtake the United States and Canada by 2021. According to a IHS Jane’s study “Balance of Trade” published on June 25, spending on weapons in China and other Asia-Pacific countries is expected to rise 35 percent above its 2013 level to $501 billion (€383 billion) by 2021, outstripping North America. 2

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