Saudi Arabia Topped India as Largest Weapons Importer Last Year

Saudi Arabia became the largest importer of defense equipment last year, surpassing India, consultants IHS Inc. said.

Inbound shipments jumped 54 percent in 2014 when Saudi Arabia also became the top trading partner with the U.S., the biggest exporter, Englewood, Colorado-based IHS said in a report Sunday. Saudi Arabia will import 52 percent more defense equipment this year, to $9.8 billion, it said. The Boeing Co. was the top company exporter last year, followed by Lockheed Martin Corp. and Raytheon Co., according to the report.