Who Controls the Arms Trade? | Inside Story

When it comes to global arms deals the scenes play out formulaically - politicians shaking hands, press releases are issued and an astronomical amount of money is spent. What is not mentioned so much is the companies that profit from the mega-deals. And are they complicit if government buyers commit serious human rights abuses with the weapons they've sold.

Whether it is warplanes and ships, missiles, tanks and guns of all sizes - the international arms is big business in every sense. Amnesty International says military expenditure for countries world-wide in 2016 was $1.7t - $375b of that on buying arms specifically.

The United States, China, France, Russia and the UK sell more than 70 percent of all weapons. And they are all permanent members of the UN Security Council - the world body charged with maintaining international peace and security. So, with thousands killed everyday, is it possible for governments to control powerful companies that dominate the global weapons market?

Presenter: Adrian Finighan | Guests: Lloyd Russell-Moyle - British Member of Parliament; Tim Ripley - Defence & security Analyst; Ben Moores, Defence & aviation analyst