Not seen since the launch of the classification in 1985! For the first time in 2008, BAE Systems, an advocacy group for non-American, became the leading supplier of arms. The information, published Monday, comes from the International Institute for Peace Research (SIPRI), a Swedish think tank considered a reference material.

According to SIPRI, BAE Systems has been leading the 100 largest arms suppliers in favor of the U.S. market. "The company is based in the UK but generates more than half its sales in the United States. BAE demonstrates the internationalization of the arms industry and the strong appeal of the U.S. market, "says Susan Jackson, an expert of SIPRI.

Sales of BAE established in 2008 to $ 32.4 billion.The bulk of these revenues came from a command of the U.S. Department of Defence who bought vehicles MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) as part of the war in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Boeing beat, Navistar enters

BAE Systems therefore delighted number one place to Boeing. The American group, with 29.2 billion worth of arms sales, slipped to third place, and is placed behind his compatriot Lockheed Martin (29.4 billion).

Elsewhere in the rankings after three American groups, Northrup Grumman, General Dynamics and Raytheon low fee pay day loans. EADS is in seventh place. Italian Finmeccanica is eighth, while the French Thales is tenth.

Almaz-Antei, is the first Russian company to make its entry in the top 20 at the eighteenth spot.With 4.3 billion turnover in 2008, "Almaz-Antei has tripled its sales since 2003," says the SIPRI.

For its part, the American Navistar made a sensational debut in twentieth place with 3.9 billion in revenue from sales to the U.S. Department of Defense. "This represents an increase of 960% compared to 2007," says the think tank.

Three times the development assistance

The SIPRI does not fail to note that in 2008 the 100 largest arms suppliers have made 385 billion dollars in revenue, a figure rising to 39 billion by 2007."This represents more than three times the total development assistance of OECD countries (120 billion dollars)," lamented the SIPRI.

According to the findings of the ranking, sales of BAE are equivalent to the GDP of 105 countries worldwide, while Lockheed Martin exceed 4 billion development aid from the United States.

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