Armed corporations were saved by the economic crisis caused by Govt-19

The global arms giants were largely saved last year by the effects of the economic crisis caused by the Govt-19, with a new record of increasing their sales for the sixth year in a row.

Revenue of the 100 largest groups in the defense sector reached new highs of $ 531 billion (47 470 billion) by 2020, with more than half of US companies, According to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Cipri) Released on Monday December 6th.

This represents a 1.3% year-over-year increase in sales of their weapons and military services, while the Swedish-based research firm points out that the world economy has fallen by more than 3%. .

According to Sibri, the turnover of the 100 largest armed groups has been steadily increasing since 2015, with a total increase of 17%. Growth was weak in 2020, however, with sales of the top 100 rising by 6.7% over 2019.

Lockheed Martin confirms its first place

Excluding Russian companies (.56.5% of sales) And French (.77.7%), other large countries saw their large corporations grow last year. Five American giants Monopoly again in the world rankings : Lockheed Martin (F-35 fighter jets, missiles, etc.) consolidates its leading position with arms sales of $ 58.2 billion, the new No. 2 British BAE system after the major merger of Raytheon Technologies, Boeing, Northrop Krumman and General Dynamics (6)^e) With Airbus (11^e) Chinese Noringo (7^e) Avik (8^e) And ECCC (9^e) And American L3Harris (10^e) Around the first 10 places.

According to the Institute, the good resistance of large corporations to the difficult economic situation in 2020 is explained by the pro-budget policies, especially in the face of the effects of epidemics and locks. Area “Mostly protected by governments’ repeated demands for military equipment”, Sibri underlines. The arms market, characterized by widespread orders over the years, is less sensitive to economic fluctuations.

But the defense industry is not completely immune to the health crisis, especially on the industrial side. “In many cases, measures taken to control the virus have disrupted the supply chain and delayed deliveries.”, Sibri mentions. Excluding Airbus in the rankings – Leading French company Thales’ case report quotes (14)^e), Which is responsible for a 6% drop in its 2020 turnover.

Distribution logistics problems will increase in 2021, “These difficulties are likely to be reflected in their sales.” This year, for example, the agency France-Press (AFP), which oversees military spending in Cipri, points to Lucie Béraud-Sudreau, as in Lockheed Martin’s plans.

Progress on the Chinese side

Behind the 41 American companies in the top 100 and their 54% stake, 26 European companies accounted for 21% of total sales. China (13% of the total, with five companies) and Russia (5%, nine companies) follow. Separately from European countries, China is second only to Russia (nine companies, 5%) and France (six companies, 4.7%), and the United Kingdom is third (seven companies, 7.1%).

“China’s progress as a major arms manufacturer has been driven by its desire to become more dependent on its own production and ambitious modernization plans.” Its forces, underlining Sipri.

The top 100 companies appearing in the world are in about fifteen countries: Japan (5), Germany and South Korea (4), Israel and India (3), Italy (2) as well as Canada, Singapore, Turkey, Sweden, Poland, Spain, Ukraine and United Arab Emirates (1).

Many groups with civilian operations, such as Boeing or Airbus, only record their military sales by Cyprian.