Arms exports in South Africa
South Africa: Arms exports was 27.00 million SIPRI trend indicator values in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Arms exports in South Africa, 1960–2024
Source: Arms Transfers Programme, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Measured in SIPRI trend indicator values.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 27.00 million SIPRI trend indicator values for arms exports in 2024.
The figure is down 53.4% on the previous year and down 57.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, arms exports in South Africa peaked at 244.00 million SIPRI trend indicator values in 2010 and was at its lowest, 0 SIPRI trend indicator values, in 1977.
South Africa ranks 36th of 70 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 20.25 million SIPRI trend indicator values | 8.00 million SIPRI trend indicator values | 33.00 million SIPRI trend indicator values | 4 |
| 1970s | 10.12 million SIPRI trend indicator values | 0 SIPRI trend indicator values | 28.00 million SIPRI trend indicator values | 8 |
| 1980s | 25.25 million SIPRI trend indicator values | 0 SIPRI trend indicator values | 49.00 million SIPRI trend indicator values | 8 |
| 1990s | 33.67 million SIPRI trend indicator values | 7.00 million SIPRI trend indicator values | 75.00 million SIPRI trend indicator values | 9 |
| 2000s | 82.30 million SIPRI trend indicator values | 21.00 million SIPRI trend indicator values | 200.00 million SIPRI trend indicator values | 10 |
| 2010s | 110.60 million SIPRI trend indicator values | 49.00 million SIPRI trend indicator values | 244.00 million SIPRI trend indicator values | 10 |
| 2020s | 75.00 million SIPRI trend indicator values | 27.00 million SIPRI trend indicator values | 120.00 million SIPRI trend indicator values | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 34 Switzerland 33.00 million SIPRI trend indicator values compare
- 35 Syrian Arab Republic 30.00 million SIPRI trend indicator values compare
- 36 Finland 27.00 million SIPRI trend indicator values compare
- 38 India 25.00 million SIPRI trend indicator values compare
- 39 Ukraine 23.00 million SIPRI trend indicator values compare
More public sector data for South Africa
- Arms imports 30.00 million SIPRI trend indicator values (2023)
- Arms imports (SIPRI trend indicator values), per capita 0.4746 SIPRI trend indicator values per person (2023)
- Arms imports (SIPRI trend indicator values), per unit of GDP 0.0001 SIPRI trend indicator values per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Arms imports (SIPRI trend indicator values), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2023)
- Arms imports (SIPRI trend indicator values), gaps filled 30.00 million SIPRI trend indicator values (2023)
- Military expenditure (current USD), per capita 44.31 current USD per person (2024)
- Military expenditure (current USD), per unit of GDP 0.0071 current USD per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Military expenditure (current USD), annual growth rate -1.41 % change on previous year (2024)
- Military expenditure (current USD), gaps filled 2.84 billion current USD (2024)
- Arms imports (SIPRI trend indicator values), per square kilometre 24.73 SIPRI trend indicator values per square kilometre (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is arms exports in South Africa?
- Arms exports in South Africa was 27.00 million SIPRI trend indicator values in 2024, according to Arms Transfers Programme, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
- What is the highest arms exports recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 244.00 million SIPRI trend indicator values in 2010.
- What is the lowest arms exports recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 SIPRI trend indicator values in 1977.
- How does South Africa rank for arms exports?
- South Africa ranks 36th out of 70 countries with data for 2024.
- Is arms exports rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 57.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Arms Transfers Programme, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), published as part of Arms exports (SIPRI trend indicator values). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Arms transfers (exports) cover the volume of transfers of major arms through sales and gifts, and those made through manufacturing licenses. Data cover major conventional weapons such as aircraft, armored vehicles, artillery, radar systems, missiles, and ships. Figures are SIPRI Trend Indicator Values (TIVs). A '0' indicates that the volume of deliveries is between 0 and 0.5 million SIPRI TIV.