$64 Billion Spent: Which Country Bought the Most Weapons

Saudi Arabia became the world's top importer of arms and military equipment in 2014, surpassing India in that segment, due to rising tensions in the Middle East and the Pacific Asia region, according to experts from the leading global arms trade analysis company IHS Janes, based in London, as reported by Hina and the Patria news agency.

During 2014, arms sales "rose for the sixth consecutive year," reaching a value of $64.4 billion, compared to $56 billion in 2013. This represents an increase of 13.4 percent, according to the IHS Janes document.

-The record figures were driven by unprecedented demand from emerging markets for military aircraft, as well as increased regional tensions in the Middle East and the Pacific Asia region, explained Ben Moores from IHS Janes.

The report, covering 65 countries, states that Riyadh has recently become the world's largest arms buyer, with imports worth $6.5 billion.

In 2013, Saudi Arabia was the world's second-largest importer of arms and military equipment, and in 2014 it overtook India ($5.5 billion) to become the most significant market for the United States.

"Saudi arms and military equipment imports increased by 54 percent, and they are expected to grow by 52 percent in 2015, reaching a total of $9.8 billion," the report states, adding that the Middle East is the largest regional market for arms sales, with about $110 billion in potential imports over the next decade.

In 2014 alone, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates imported military equipment worth about $8.6 billion, more than the whole of Western Europe. Regarding arms and military equipment exports, the report notes that the United States is the largest exporter, with sales of $23.7 billion, accounting for two-thirds of global arms exports.

Russia is in second place, exporting most of its arms to China, with total arms and military equipment sales of $10 billion, which is 9 percent more than in 2013.