Levels and Characteristics of the Illegal Trade in Conventional Arms

Abstract

When it comes to the transfer of conventional arms, there is a large gap inthe available data. This gap stems in part from the existence of a substantialblack market for military equipment, allowing for conventional arms tochange hands undetected. Despite the massive threat this produces, thereis very little literature examining the happenings on the illicitconventional arms market. This article aims to highlight some of the datagaps present in the current literature. The most common methods used toillicitly transfer arms are described and it is explained how arms traffickersuse these to circumvent regulations. Some select case studies should helpto illustrate the matter further.