Question

why did the Europeans carry on trade with arms​

Answer 1

Answer:

xports are something neither European governments nor the European Union (EU) like discussing.

But they cannot avoid being put in the limelight once a year. That happens every time the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) publishes its list of the 100 top-selling arms companies.

The list, by no means exhaustive—it excludes China, Ukraine, and many small and highly successful German companies—makes fascinating reading, for three reasons.

First, the arms trade is thriving, despite the global financial crisis and the economic downturn across most of Europe.

Sales of arms and military services increased by $411.1billion in 2010. SIPRI says that was a 1 percent increase compared to 2009 and a 60 percent increase since 2002.

Second, the United States and Europe continue to dominate the arms-producing and military services companies.

Forty-four U.S.-based companies accounted for over 60 percent of all arms sales listed by SIPRI. The 30 European companies on the list make up just under 30 percent. France and German lead the pack, followed by the United Kingdom