geotimes.ge -- Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) publishes research conducted by Dr. Paul Holtom, Director of the SIPRI Arms Transfers Programme. SIPRI is an independent international institute dedicated to research into conflict, armaments, arms control and disarmament.

According to the research ARMS TRANSFERS TO EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA, in 2004–2008 the only recorded exports from Kazakhstan were of anti-tank missiles to Georgia and of two Mi‑17 helicopters to Kyrgyzstan.

In the decade preceding the August 2008 Georgia–Russia conflict in South Ossetia, military expenditure in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia increased by more than 500 per cent in real terms.

Military reform and modernization have been offered as justifications for increased military spending and arms procurement in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Russia, but unresolved border disputes, territorial claims and separatism remain among the main national security threats facing these countries. Table of the Military expenditure in European and Central Asia in 1999-2008 is given in the SIPRI background paper, according to which, Georgian military expenses increased from 39,8 million to 651 million dollars, in Armenia – from 93 million to 217 million dollars and in Azerbaijan – from 133 million to 697 million dollars.