The term "arms race" describes a competition between two or more countries, in which each one of them desires to have the best armed forces. The term is often used to describe the nuclear arms race which took place between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. However, the term can describe many long-term competitions of this kind that have taken place throughout history. In an arms race, each participant attempts to produce more weapons, a larger military and superior military technology.
