International trade in arms and ammunition. Challenges and threats

Abstract

The arms trade is among the most profitable businesses in the world, with predictable growth year on year. International major arms shipments declined slightly between 2012–16 and 2017–21, but increased by 19% in Europe. The arms trade becomes trafficking in arms when transactions are made in violation of existing arms laws. According to the global organized crime index, the global arms trafficking score is 4.92 (out of 10). Libya has the highest score of arms and ammunition trafficking in the world (9.50), and the last place in the report is occupied by Tuvalu and Nauru (score 1.00). Also, in connection with the current war in Ukraine, which is overwhelmed by donations from all the states of the world, it does not have the means to prevent the diversion of weapons in the existing illegality of the arms trade.