What the heck is Singapore doing with all those weapons!!? They are less than 300 sq mi/ 750 sq km. Also they are surrounded by Malaysia and Ocean. Are they waiting for Japan to re-invade?
While it true for most anything what comes to Singapore, this is apparently not the case for weapons. According to the source, Singapore is basically not exporting any weapons. At least not legally.
A lot of money doesnt mean a lot of weapons. Singapore is the kind of country that buys high quality weapons (not like North Korea who just buys high quantities of weapons)
Historically, Singapore has always felt vulnerable being surrounded by larger neighbours who are not necessarily allies. Singapore became an independent country after an unceremonious split from Malaysia. Bilateral-relations between Singapore and Indonesia were tense in the 1960s. Due to its small size, there is no hinterland for defence and any direct conflict would be devastating. Interestingly, Singapore's military was also modelled after Israeli's in the early days, and the two countries are known to have a shared security relationship (perhaps seeing the similarity of situations they were both in, at least at that point of time).
Looks like Singapore has 4 f35's & is buying 8 more. And is buying some submarines from Germany. I don't know what they do in the SCS. If they're worried about China then I assume they need defense pacts, not arms. I guess it's nice to have the ability to intercept foreign planes, at the least. I would've thought a Navy/Coastguard would be more useful to them than Airforce.
Surprised to see a couple of these on here - most notably, China and the US, since I generally think of them as exporters rather than importers (as far as weapons are concerned).
It's not a net calculation - you don't subtract the amount you import from the amount you export to come up with a total. The US can sell missile guidance systems to South Korea while also importing ammunition from that same country.
The US imports a lot of guns from European companies for civilian use. Glock, Baretta, H&K. Not to mention some of the military arms that come from allied countries
Greece is a western, European, country close to Eastern Europe, Russia, Turkey, Middle East (Israel, Syria) and Africa (Libya and Egypt). Also lots of refugees enter Europe via Greece since it's the first country on their path, so maybe they also count military ships as "weapons" in order to patrol the mediterranean sea
Well, the refugee flow stopped since the EU made a dodgy deal with Turkey.
And the Greek state is basically under budget control until 2037, being forced to basically sell any government agency worth selling, restricting all costs. So large military spending is peculiar.
Try being next to Turkey, Albania, FYROM and Bulgaria. All former enemies of Greece and most of them still claiming greek soil. Turkey alone is an 80mil people islamic powerhouse under the rule of a dictator who wants to reinstate the ottoman empire.
Bulgaria is a close ally nowadays. The other three are still crazy, however, North Macedonia since signing the name deal has abandoned it's rubbish expansionist ambitions.
Same here! Which cocktail contains lemon juice, gin and cherry brandy? Which dish has curried noodles with shrimp, pork and vegetables? Which country has the biggest Yakult bottle in South-East Asia? That's right.
To answer the questions about Singapore: there is a high level of piracy in the Straight of Malacca between the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra. Singapore needs to military intervene to keep the area safe for shipping. If it doesn't do so, shipping companies will use other routes (discussions about openning a canal through the Thai part of the Malay Peninsula) and Singapore will see a decline in its port activities, which is one of its main ressources.
Keep in mind that Singapore is an enthusiastic advocate of both capital and corporal punishment. Committing crimes in Norway or Seattle seems like a better bet.
The US weapon imports are dwarfed by a factor of 13 by the US weapon exports. There is a good chance that most of the US re-imports are actually US weapons. ;-)
Everyone's talking about Singapore, but I'm more confused by Australia. Why does a peaceful, remote, sparsely populated island country feel a need to spend so much on weapons? Is it just that they don't make weapons themselves? Or are those emus really getting to them?
I believe it's mainly to bolster the navy. The ships are rather expensive but they're the best option for defense when it comes to a nation surrounded on all sides by the sea. Plus as an Australian whenever I hear talk on the news, from politicians and just in general conversation about large military expenditure in Australia it's usually about a naval vessel or occasionally high tech planes
They're a trustworthy ally in a strategically important location to combat China/India. US/Europe can't afford to have them do nothing. I've heard five eyes talked about as being indicative of that bond; I don't know how true that is. I guess you can look at the recent sub sales and think for yourself.
Seems surprising not to see Russia. And Brazil/Argentina/Colombia/Venezuela. I guess Venezuela is the only one with strained relations between any others. And the big Saharan countries. Maybe they lack the money to buy, or capability to engage in a full-scale war with one another. I'd expect Ethiopia at the very least to be concerned with arming itself.
And DPRK/Iran. I assume it's just not counted.
I wonder what the USA imports. My guess is token stuff from NATO countries, mostly for their benefit. Or feigned financial support to countries like Israel.
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singapore-is-worlds-20th-biggest-arms-exporter
Regarding why Singapore imports arms:
Historically, Singapore has always felt vulnerable being surrounded by larger neighbours who are not necessarily allies. Singapore became an independent country after an unceremonious split from Malaysia. Bilateral-relations between Singapore and Indonesia were tense in the 1960s. Due to its small size, there is no hinterland for defence and any direct conflict would be devastating. Interestingly, Singapore's military was also modelled after Israeli's in the early days, and the two countries are known to have a shared security relationship (perhaps seeing the similarity of situations they were both in, at least at that point of time).
And the Greek state is basically under budget control until 2037, being forced to basically sell any government agency worth selling, restricting all costs. So large military spending is peculiar.
Also, building up numbers in the military (at EU expense) is a strategy to get more people off welfare
Who hit the most home runs in the 1930s? Singapore
What pastry is often eaten with tomato soup in Mali? Singapore
What treaty was signed by both France and Bhutan? Singapore
I'm sure you get the Singapore.
And DPRK/Iran. I assume it's just not counted.
I wonder what the USA imports. My guess is token stuff from NATO countries, mostly for their benefit. Or feigned financial support to countries like Israel.