Over the past five years, European NATO nations have ramped up their arms purchases, with more than 60% of their imports coming from the United States, according to a report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). This surge marks a staggering 155% increase compared to the previous period, largely driven by tensions with Russia and concerns over the stability of U.S. foreign policy.
Ukraine, now the world’s biggest arms importer, has seen its weapons acquisitions skyrocket—nearly 100 times more than between 2015 and 2019. The war-torn nation accounted for 8.8% of global arms imports, receiving military aid from at least 35 countries. The U.S. led the charge, supplying 45% of Ukraine’s weaponry, followed by Germany (12%) and Poland (11%).
On the export front, the U.S. remains the dominant player, responsible for 43% of global arms sales. France, coming in second, accounts for 9.6%, fueled by major aircraft deliveries to Greece and Croatia—although India remains its biggest customer, absorbing 28% of French exports.
For the first time in two decades, Europe has overtaken the Middle East as the top destination for U.S. arms, claiming 35% of American exports compared to the Middle East’s 33%. That said, Saudi Arabia still remains the largest single buyer, securing 12% of all U.S. weapon sales.
Despite ongoing calls for European military independence, the continent has only become more dependent on U.S. arms, with Washington supplying 64% of NATO Europe’s purchases—up from 52% in the previous period. Pieter Wezeman, a senior researcher at SIPRI, highlighted that despite efforts to bolster Europe’s own defense industry, nearly 500 U.S. combat aircraft and other weapons remain on order.
While the West’s arms trade is booming, Russia’s weapons exports have nosedived by 64%, largely due to the war in Ukraine, economic sanctions, and pressure from U.S. allies. Even long-standing buyers are pulling back—India, China, and Kazakhstan still accounted for two-thirds of Russian exports, but overall sales have plummeted.
Meanwhile, Asia and Oceania remain the world’s biggest arms-importing regions, making up 33% of global weapons transfers, despite a 21% decline in purchases. India, the second-largest importer globally, continues to stockpile arms, while China has cut its imports by 64% in favor of boosting domestic production.
On the African continent, arms imports in West Africa have nearly doubled (+82%) between 2010–2014 and 2020–2024. Nigeria has led the charge, claiming 34% of the region’s total arms purchases. New suppliers like Turkey are expanding their influence in the region, competing with established players such as the U.S., China, France, and Russia.
“The sharp rise in arms imports to West Africa carries serious geopolitical weight,” noted Katarina Djokic from SIPRI, pointing out that countries like Burkina Faso, Mali, and Senegal are drastically increasing their military capabilities. As global players jostle for influence, arms exports have become more than just business—they’re a strategic tool shaping the world’s power balance.
