The arms industry is one which may require the greatest attention to combat corruption. High levels of corruption are facilitated by a number of factors, not least the levels of secrecy - ostensibly for the sake of national security - with which arms deals are carried out. Global military expenditure in the arms industry was an estimated US $1 trillion in 2004, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. With developing countries with fragile and easily manipulated governance among the largest weapons importers, it is perhaps unsurprising that graft should be so rife.

Through TI’s consultation with the governments of the UK and Sweden, the US Aerospace Industries Association and the Aerospace and Defence Industries of Europe, a series of documents have been created that examine the practices and legal loopholes that facilitate corruption in the arms industry. TI UK has issued recommendations for cleaning up the industry, including an industry code of conduct, implementing defence integrity pacts, and placing anti-corruption measures at the centre of arms control regimes. For more information, see:
www.transparency.org/news_room/in_focus/defence_sector