European arms exports in 2011

Transparency in armaments is an essential ingredient to hold government accountable for their arms transfers. In this regard, the annual report according to article 8(2) of Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP defining common rules governing control of exports of military technology and equipment is a relevant – yet imperfect – tool of public transparency. By providing data on licences granted and exports of the European Union Member States, it allows national parliaments, citizens, and civil society to be aware of their government’s activities in the arms trade. This paper analyses the latest report covering the year 2011.