European Arms Imports Doubled in Last 5 Years, Says SIPRI
Europe Sees Nearly 100% Increase in Arms Imports According to SIPRI Report
A recent report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) has revealed a significant increase in arms imports in Europe over the past five years. The report shows that imports of weapons such as warplanes, tanks, and submarines in Europe rose by approximately 94 percent in the 2019-2023 period compared to the previous five years.
One of the notable findings of the report is that Ukraine emerged as the largest importer of arms in Europe, accounting for 23 percent of the continent’s total arms imports. This increase in military aid to Ukraine comes in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war, with Western countries stepping up their support for Kiev.
The United States was the leading supplier of arms to Ukraine, providing 69 percent of imported goods, followed by Germany at 30 percent. The USA also maintained its position as the top arms exporter globally, with a 17 percent increase in arms exports in the 2019-2023 period.
In contrast, arms deliveries from Russia saw a significant decrease of 53 percent during the same period. While Russia remains a key player in arms exports, its position as one of the two largest arms suppliers was overtaken by France, whose arms exports increased by 47 percent in the past five years.
France, which became the second largest arms exporter globally, saw the largest share of its arms exports going to countries in Asia and Oceania (42 percent) and the Middle East (34 percent). The SIPRI report also highlighted the growing demand for high-value weapons in Europe, with a significant number of warplanes and air defense systems being ordered.
Overall, the report emphasized the dominance of the USA and Western European countries in global arms exports, accounting for 72 percent of exports in the 2019-2023 period. Despite a 14 percent decrease in arms exports, Germany remains a key player in the global arms industry, supplying 30 percent of Israel’s arms imports.
India was identified as the world’s largest arms importer, with a 4.7 percent increase in arms imports, followed by Saudi Arabia and Qatar as the second and third largest arms importers respectively. The USA remains a major supplier to Middle Eastern countries, providing 52 percent of arms imports, followed by France, Italy, and Germany.
The SIPRI report highlights the evolving landscape of global arms transfers, with shifting dynamics in Europe and beyond. As conflicts and geopolitical tensions continue to drive arms imports, the role of major arms exporters like the USA and France remains crucial in shaping the global arms market.
