Ukraine has emerged as the world’s largest importer of major arms in the period 2020–24, with its imports increasing nearly 100 times compared to 2015–19, according to new data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). The surge in arms transfers to Ukraine comes as the country continues to defend itself against Russia’s invasion, with at least 35 states supplying weapons since 2022.
The United States further solidified its dominance in global arms exports, increasing its share to 43%, while Russia’s arms exports plummeted by 64%. European NATO members also ramped up their arms imports by 105%, largely relying on US-supplied weaponry. Meanwhile, France overtook Russia as the world’s second-largest arms exporter, driven by rising European demand.
Despite overall global arms transfers remaining stable compared to previous periods, regional shifts were significant. While arms imports surged in Europe and the Americas, they declined in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. China’s arms imports fell sharply as it focused on domestic production, and India’s dependence on Russian arms waned. The data highlights the ongoing geopolitical realignment in arms trade, particularly in response to security concerns in Europe and beyond.
