Britain’s sales of military equipment to Saudi Arabia hit £1.1 billion in the first six months of this year, according to the latest government data.
The UK sold £836 million worth of arms and military hardware to the Saudi kingdom between April and June, up from £280 million between January and March, according to statistics by the Department for International Trade (DIT).
The latest export licence figures come amid increasing concern over the Saudi military’s bombing in Yemen, which has so far killed more than 12,000 people and destroyed much of the country’s infrastructure, including hospitals, schools and factories.
DIT has come under harsh criticism after it was disclosed that British soldiers were conducting demonstrations for weapons manufacturers. The department has not released the names of the countries that had attended.
It said identifying the delegations would “prejudice the relationship between the UK and other…