A study released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) shows that Germany is the world's third-highest exporter of weapons, coming in behind the United States and Russia. Germany's arms exports represent 9 percent of the global total, while the US accounts for 30 percent and Russia for 24 percent.

According to SIPRI's report, a large part of Germany's arms exports are submarines and frigates, with Greece, South Korea, and South Africa representing the most important trade partners.

SIPRI says that for the period of 2007-2011, global volume of arms imports increased by 24 percent compared to 2002-2006. Asian countries are leading the way among weapons importing nations.

India is the leading individual country for the 2007-2011 period, accounting for 10 percent in weapons volume. It is followed by South Korea (6 percent) China and Pakistan (5 percent) and Singapore (4 percent).

China's arms imports have declined in recent years because of the country's efforts to develop its own weapons. In 2006 and 2007, China was the world's leading arms importer.

Arming Syria

The SIPRI report noted that Syria's arms imports were nearly six times higher between 2007 and 2011 than they were in the previous five year period. Russia accounted for 72 percent of weapons imported by the regime of President Bashar al-Assad in the past five years.

Russia has resisted efforts by the United Nations to intervene in the Syrian government's crackdown on protesters in a conflict that has seen thousands killed over the past year.

The SIPRI report tracks global arms trade volume of major conventional weapons, such as aircraft, artillery, and missiles. Smaller weapons or vehicles are not included.

mz/ipj (AP, AFP, dpa)