The Most Famous Arms Dealer, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the arms dealer you think is the most famous!
Updated on May 4, 2024 07:01
Assessing the influence and reach of global arms dealers can provide insights into international relations and defense economics. By ranking these major players, individuals and researchers alike gain a clearer picture of who shapes the tools of international power dynamics. This understanding can guide discussions on policy and ethics in global defense practices.
This site offers users the opportunity to cast their votes and help determine the ranking of the world’s most notable arms dealers. The collective input results in a dynamic list that reflects current public opinion and awareness. Your participation is crucial in contributing to a more transparent view of this controversial aspect of global affairs.
Who Is the Most Famous Arms Dealer?
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195votes
Roland Godefroy · CC BY 3.0Saudi Arabian arms dealer who was involved in several major arms deals in the 1970s and 1980s, including the Iran-Contra affair. He was considered one of the richest men in the world in the 1980s. -
240votes
Drug Enforcement Administration · Public domainViktor Bout
Viktor BoutRussian arms dealer who was arrested in Thailand in 2008 and later extradited to the United States, where he was convicted of conspiracy to sell weapons to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). He is known as the "Merchant of Death" for his involvement in international arms trafficking.Viktor Bout, also known as the 'Merchant of Death,' is a notorious Russian arms dealer. He gained worldwide notoriety for his extensive involvement in illicit arms trafficking activities.- Nationality: Russian
- Alias: Merchant of Death
- Occupation: Arms dealer
- Criminal Activities: Illicit arms trafficking
- Notable Case: Operation Relentless (DEA sting operation)
Viktor Bout in other rankings- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous money launderer
- Position 9 of 10 in Most popular fraudsters
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317votes
Agence de presse Meurisse · Public domainGreek arms dealer who was active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was known for his involvement in several major arms deals, including the sale of arms to Greece during the Balkan Wars. He was also involved in the development of the Maxim machine gun. -
420votesAmerican arms dealer who was active in the 1970s and 1980s. He was known for his involvement in several major arms deals, including the sale of weapons to Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi. He was also involved in the development of the Barrett M82 sniper rifle.
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515votesRussian arms dealer who was active in the 1990s and 2000s. He was known for his involvement in several major arms deals, including the sale of weapons to the Taliban in Afghanistan. He was also involved in the development of the AK-103 assault rifle.
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614votesSyrian arms dealer who was arrested in Spain in 2007 and later extradited to the United States, where he was convicted of conspiracy to sell weapons to the FARC. He was known for his involvement in several major arms deals, including the sale of weapons to Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq.
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79votesBelgian-born American arms dealer who was known for his involvement in several major arms deals in the 1970s and 1980s, including the sale of weapons to Iran during the Iran-Iraq War. He was also involved in the development of the Glotex system, which was used to transport weapons.
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83votesEgyptian arms dealer who was active in the 1960s and 1970s. He was known for his involvement in several major arms deals, including the sale of weapons to the Arab states during the 1973 Yom Kippur War. He was also involved in the development of the Ghali rifle.
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96votes
Deror avi · CC BY-SA 3.0Russian-born Israeli arms dealer who was active in the 1990s and 2000s. He was known for his involvement in several major arms deals, including the sale of weapons to Angola during the country's civil war. He was also involved in the development of the Tavor assault rifle. -
1010votesIndian arms dealer who was active in the 1990s and 2000s. He was known for his involvement in several major arms deals, including the sale of weapons to the Sri Lankan government during the country's civil war. He was also involved in the development of the Khanna rifle.
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Ranking factors for famous arms dealer
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The scale of their operationThe size of their business in terms of the number of weapons sold, the number of countries they operate in, and the overall revenue they generate.
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The level of political influenceThe level of political influence they have and the extent to which they are able to influence international relations.
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The impact of the business on global conflictsThe impact of their business on global conflicts and the extent to which their arms have been used in conflicts around the world.
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The level of secrecyThe level of secrecy surrounding their operations and the extent to which they are able to stay under the radar.
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Legal challengesThe extent to which they have faced legal challenges and the outcomes of those challenges.
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Previous historyTheir previous history in arms dealing and previous clients.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most famous arms dealer. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or dealer is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 3567 views
- 227 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each dealer once every 24 hours. The rank of each dealer is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most famous arms dealer
Background Information: The Notorious World of Arms Dealers
Arms dealing is a lucrative and controversial business that involves the buying and selling of weapons, ammunition, and other military equipment. It is a global industry that is estimated to be worth billions of dollars, and it is often associated with corruption, violence, and human rights abuses.
Arms dealers operate in a complex and secretive network of suppliers, intermediaries, and buyers, often crossing international borders and operating in conflict zones. Some of the most famous arms dealers in history have been involved in major conflicts and scandals, including the Iran-Contra affair, the Iraq War, and the Libyan Civil War.
One of the most notorious arms dealers in recent history was Viktor Bout, a Russian national who was dubbed the "Merchant of Death." Bout was known for his extensive network of arms trafficking and smuggling, and he was accused of supplying weapons to various terrorist organizations and rebel groups. He was eventually arrested by U.S. authorities in Thailand in 2008 and is currently serving a 25-year prison sentence in the United States.
Other notable arms dealers include Adnan Khashoggi, a Saudi Arabian businessman who was implicated in various arms deals and scandals throughout his career, and Monzer al-Kassar, a Syrian national who was involved in the Iran-Contra affair and other illegal arms deals.
Despite the controversies and legal challenges that often surround the arms dealing industry, it remains a thriving business that is fueled by global demand for military equipment and weapons. As long as there are conflicts and tensions between nations, arms dealers
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