STOCKHOLM (CHATNEWSTV) — Ukraine has become the world’s largest importer of major arms, with its purchases increasing nearly 100-fold between 2015-2019 and 2020-2024, according to new data released Monday by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
The sharp rise in European arms imports—up 155% over the same period—reflects heightened security concerns following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and growing uncertainty over U.S. foreign policy commitments, the report found.
“The war in Ukraine has dramatically reshaped global arms transfers,” said Pieter D. Wezeman, senior researcher at SIPRI. “European states are racing to strengthen their defenses, and Ukraine’s demand for military equipment has skyrocketed.”
The United States further solidified its dominance in global arms exports, increasing its market share to 43%, while Russia’s exports plummeted by 64%. The decline in Russian arms sales is attributed to its domestic military needs, Western sanctions, and the loss of key customers.
The SIPRI report underscores the geopolitical shift in global arms trade, with European nations increasingly relying on U.S. and Western defense suppliers as tensions with Russia continue to mount.
