Many of the world's developing countries are embroiled in an arms race, with record sums being spent on fighter aircraft in particular. That's according to the latest report from Sipri - the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. 

The countries in question are in the Middle East, North Africa, South America and South and South-East Asia. Algeria has risen to ninth place on the list of large arms importers, while Malaysia has increased its weapon imports by over 700 percent in just five years.

Sipri points out that these imports are taking place whilst countries in these unstable regions are also struggling with extreme poverty. Worldwide, the trade in arms has risen by 22 percent in the last five years. The United States still heads the list of the biggest exporters, followed by Russia and Germany.

Germany's arms exports have in fact doubled in five years, with NATO members and neighbours Turkey and Greece as two of its largest clients.