Global arms transfers surge nearly 10% as Europe boosts imports, US dominance grows: Report

ISTANBUL

Global arms transfers increased by 9.2% between 2016–20 and 2021–25, largely driven by surging demand in Europe, according to new data released Monday by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

European states more than tripled their arms imports, making the region the largest arms-importing market globally, accounting for 33% of all imports.

After Ukraine, Poland and the UK were the largest arms importers in Europe during the period.

“Deliveries to Ukraine since 2022 are the most obvious factor, but most other European states have also started importing significantly more arms to shore up their military capabilities against a perceived growing threat from Russia,” said Matthew George, director of SIPRI’s Arms Transfers Program.

The US further expanded its dominance of global arms exports, supplying 42% of all international arms transfers in 2021–25, up from 36% in the previous five-year period.

US exports increased by 27% overall, including a dramatic 217% surge in shipments to Europe, reflecting the continent’s growing demand for advanced military systems.

For the first time in two decades, the largest share of US arms exports went to Europe (38%) rather than the Middle East (33%).

France remained the second-largest global arms exporter, accounting for 9.8% of worldwide exports.

French arms exports grew by 21% between 2016–20 and 2021–25, with the largest shares going to India, Egypt, and Greece.

Germany overtook China to become the fourth-largest arms exporter globally, accounting for 5.7% of global exports.

Almost a quarter of German arms exports, 24%, were delivered to Ukraine as military aid, while an additional 17% went to other European states.

Arms exports by Italy also surged 157%, pushing the country from the 10th largest exporter to sixth place globally.

Israel expanded its presence in the global arms market.

The country increased its share of global exports from 3.1% to 4.4%, overtaking the UK to become the seventh-largest arms supplier worldwide.

“Despite conducting the war in Gaza and attacks in Iran, Lebanon, Qatar, Syria and Yemen, Israel still managed to increase its share of global arms exports,” said SIPRI researcher Zain Hussain.