UK MILITARY EXPORTS

British armaments industry exported £7 billion value in 2009 which is 20% of the global market. The UK is number 2 behind the US.
Saudi Arabia is the top destination importing £36.7 billion of weaponry over the past 9 years.

The leading sales are the Tornado and Eurofighter Typhoon jets.
The UK security sector had exports of £1.4 billion in 2009 up 14% on 2008.

This shows that the interests of the UK government have obvious consequences in backing the odious regime in Saudi Arabia whose treatment of their own population especially women is dreadful. “Defence contracts” are hugely important and were a source of conflict within the Blair government. Private Eye is an interesting source of information on the details of many of these contracts over the years including bribes and conflicts of interests.