Weapons companies around the world have largely survived the economic downturn caused by the corona virus, and their profits have increased over the past year.
According to the French news agency AFP, a report published by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute on Monday states that for the sixth year in a row, the profits of arms companies have increased.
According to the report, governments around the world have continued to buy arms during Corona, and some have even taken steps to help large arms companies.In 2019, the profits of the 100 largest arms companies as a whole increased by 1.3% to a record 53 531 billion, while the global economy declined by more than 3%.
Alexandra Marxiner, a researcher at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, said in the institute's annual review of arms companies that "military manufacturers were largely protected from constant government demand for military equipment and services."
"In most parts of the world, military spending has risen and some governments have stepped up payments to the arms industry to mitigate the effects of the Corona crisis."The top five arms manufacturers in the United States include Lockheed Martin, which ranks F-35 fighter jets and a variety of missiles among its best-selling weapons, with sales of 58 58.2 billion. Together they strengthened their first position.
The UK's BAE Systems ranks sixth, the largest position by European companies, ahead of three Chinese companies.
