Ukraine leads global arms imports as Europe boosts defence spending

European arms imports jumped 155% from 2020-24, with Ukraine emerging as the world’s largest arms importer, according to a Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) report released Monday. The surge follows Russia’s 2022 invasion, which has reshaped global defence markets.

The United States retained its dominance in global arms exports, increasing its market share from 35% to 43%, supplying more than 50% of Europe’s arms imports in the period. Key European buyers included Britain, the Netherlands, and Norway.

Ukraine alone accounted for 8.8% of global arms imports, with nearly half coming from the U.S. The report comes as Washington pauses military aid to Kyiv under President Donald Trump, raising concerns over Europe’s defence reliance on American supplies.

Russia’s arms exports dropped to 7.8% of the global market, down from 21%, as sanctions and domestic war demands disrupted supply. Meanwhile, China ramped up its own weapons production, leading to a 21% decline in arms imports across Asia and Oceania.

European leaders recently pledged increased defence spending, citing uncertainty over U.S. support and Russia’s growing military posture. Despite efforts to reduce dependency, NATO states continue to rely heavily on American arms, with nearly 500 combat aircraft and other weapons still on order.

Global arms transfers remained steady overall, with shifting regional demands reflecting the widening geopolitical divide since the war in Ukraine began.

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