A report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute revealed that Egypt was ranked among the top 10 arms importers during the period from 2019 to 2023, after Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
Saudi Arabia was the world’s second-largest arms importer during that period, accounting for 8.4% of total global arms imports during that period.
The United States topped the list of arms suppliers to Middle Eastern countries, followed by France, Russia, Italy, and Germany.
These military investments come in the context of escalating regional tensions and security concerns, as major imported weapons are widely used in conflicts in the region, including in Gaza, Lebanon, and Yemen.
On the other hand, imports of major arms by African countries decreased by 52% during the same period, due to significant declines in large importers such as Algeria and Morocco.
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