Report: Israel is world's No. 3 arms exporter, trailing only U.S. and Russia

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The Congressional Research Service said Israel became the third biggest arms exporter in the world in 2010. In a report, CRS said Israel followed only the United States and Russia and signed agreements for $2 billion worth of orders last year.

The report, titled "Conventional Arms Transfers to Developing Nations, 2003-2010," did not cite Israel's major defense clients in 2010. But author Richard Grimmett said Israel beat out such major suppliers as Britain, China, France and Italy in arms transfer agreements.

CRS reported that 2010 was an exceptional year for Israeli defense exports. Over the last eight years, Israel was ranked the No. 9 supplier with total exports of $6.7 billion, following such countries as Germany, Canada and Sweden.

Israel was also ranked No. 9 in arms delivery, with $1.1 billion. The three leading weapons deliverers were identified as the United States, Russia and Germany.

The report said Israel was also a major supplier to so-called developing nations, including India. CRS said Israel, ranked No. 8, signed weapons orders worth $8.2 billion from 2003 through 2010.

Last year, Israel, trailing China, was said to have signed $700 million worth of defense accords with developing states. CRS said Israel dropped from the sixth largest supplier to developing states to eighth in 2007.

In June 2011, the Israeli Defense Ministry said defense exports for the previous year reached $7.2 billion. The figure topped exports in 2009, reported at $6.9 billion.

Source: World Tribune