A major air defense deal with India propped up defense exports to $9.2 billion in 2017. 31% of sales were missiles and missile defense systems. The drone sales decreased last year. Asia-Pacific nations are the lead buyers.

Heron TP at ILA Air Show in Germany (Photo: Airbusgroup)

The Defense Exports Department of the Defense Ministry publicized the data for 2017's defense exports, showing that sales increased by 40% over 2016 and amounted to 9.2 billion dollars. The ministry's report listed the following sales percentages: missile and aerial defense systems amounted to 31%, radar and aerial defense systems accounted for 17%, upgrades and avionics for 14%, ammunition and weapon stations for 9%, communications systems also for 9%, observation and optics for 8%, intelligence and cyber systems for 5%, services and miscellaneous for 3%, UAVs for 2% and marine systems and satellite and space for 1% each.

As for a geographic breakdown, 58% of exports headed to Asia-Pacific nations, 21% to Europe, 14% to North America, 5% to Africa and to 2% Latin America. A 2.5-billion dollar air defense system sale to India served as the lion’s share of the sales increase. Missiles and air defense systems saw the biggest increase in sales, while unmanned military drone sales decreased compared to previous years, owing to competition from China and the US.

The Cypriot navy purchased coast guard cutters and four military patrol boats were sold to Argentina last year. A billion-euro drone deal with Germany and a Gil Missile sale to India are planned for 2018.