Asia-Pacific nations' 'spend surge' spurs growth in global arms market

London

A BUYING spree in the Asia-Pacific region propelled double-digit growth in the global arms market last year to a record US$65 billion, defence analysts IHS Jane's said on Monday.

Defence imports by Asia-Pacific nations soared 71 per cent in a "spend surge" between 2009 and 2016, the analysts said, helping the global arms market jump 11.3 per cent or US$6.6 billion last year.