Gulf defence spending rises
Defence spending in the Gulf is rising steadily with companies increasingly focussing on the region as budgets shrink in domestic markets.
SIPRI has estimated that defence expenditure in the Gulf region has increased by almost 14% in the face of the growing, perceived threat from Iran and rising levels of disposable income.
Although actual figures are not available, a CSIS report stated that between 2008 and 2011, the Gulf countries announced more than $75.6 billion in arms transfer agreements. Saudi Arabia and the UAE, traditionally the biggest spenders in the region, accounted for respectively 69% and 23% of the expenditure.
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