ALGERIA was the biggest buyer of South African arms in 1998, followed by Thailand and Switzerland, according to figures released on Thursday by the arms export control body. Algeria snapped up arms classified as “sensitive major significant equipment” worth R83,3-million and non-sensitive arms worth R1,5-million, according to a statement by Kader Asmal, the chair of the National Conventional Arms Control Committee. “Sensitive major significant equipment” is defined as conventional implements of war such as explosives, missiles, tanks, fighter aircraft, automatic weapons and naval vessels which cause severe casualties or destruction. Thailand bought sensitive equipment worth R66,6-million and non-sensitive equipment worth R500000. Switzerland came a close third, purchasing sensitive arms to the value of R64,9-million and non-sensitive arms worth R1,25-million.