This is the heavy military hardware that the Middle East is buying up to fight ISIS

The wealthy gulf states of the Middle East are driving an explosion in military spending, much of which is being funnelled into the fight against Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL).

In fact, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), military exports to the states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), several of which are engaged in fighting Islamic State, have surged 71% in the last four years.

Here's some of the heavy weaponry being bought up by Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain for the fight.

The government of Qatar recently bought 24 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters from Boeing, one of the biggest US military orders in the last year.

Saudi Arabia and Qatar have also ordered billions of dollars worth of 'hit to kill' air defence Patriot Pac-3 missiles.

France is in the final stages of discussions with Qatar to sell 36 Rafale fighter jets, some of the world's most advanced.