New 2015 record for Walloon weapons sales to Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia bought 60% of Walloon weapons sold in 2015. This is per the report of the “Weapons” sub-commission of the Wallonia parliament on export licences granted or refused during the last year. Le Soir is reporting this today (Tuesday).

Wallonia has never exported so many arms to Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia has only accounted for 34 export licences of the 1,369 delivered from 68 countries across the whole of the year.

However, these contracts represent a total of 575.8 million euros, or 60% of global Walloon turnover within the sector (having a total of 955 million euros), the daily newspaper states.

This has triggered a new record, the previous one being attained with sales of 396.9 million euros in weapons sales to Riyadh in 2014.

Additional purchases from other Middle Eastern countries, (United Arab Emirates for a total of 19.3 million euros and Oman for a total of 15.76 millions) constituted 65% of overall Walloon weapons exports.

The detailed breakdown of arms exports to Saudi Arabia, involved in the Yemen conflict in 2015 concerned fire arms (396 million euros), canons or mortars (7.6 millions euros), ammunition (105 million euros), rockets (5.18 million euros) and tanks and armoured vehicles or spares parts (58 million euros).


The author: Michel DEURINCK

Michel Deurinck, born in Brussels in 1950, started his career in the Belgian civil service, dedicating over 30 years to public service. Upon retirement, he pursued his passion for journalism. Transitioning into this new field, he quickly gained recognition for his insightful reporting on politics and culture. Deurinck's balanced and thoughtful approach to journalism has made him a respected figure in Belgian media.

Related posts

Leave a Comment