The total volume of international supplies of major weapons increased by 9.2% compared to the previous five-year period, with Europe leading the world ranking in terms of arms imports for the first time in history. The countries of the continent increased their purchases more than threefold, receiving 33% of global arms exports. However, according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Ukraine became the world’s largest arms importer in 2021-2025, receiving 9.7% of all international arms supplies.
This indicator was a key factor in Europe leading the world ranking in terms of arms imports for the first time in history – the region accounted for 33% of all supplies, which is three times more than in the previous five-year period.
The sharp increase in supplies to Ukraine after 2022 was the main factor in the rapid growth of arms imports in Europe. After Ukraine, the largest buyers of weapons on the continent were Poland and the United Kingdom. The main suppliers remain the United States (48% of supplies), followed by Germany (7.1%) and France (6.2%).
At the global level, the United States remains the dominant arms exporter: it accounted for 42% of all international supplies in 2021-2025, while in the previous five-year period this figure was 36%. American weapons were supplied to 99 countries around the world, and for the first time in two decades, the largest share of exports fell to Europe (38%), rather than the Middle East (33%). The largest individual buyer remained Saudi Arabia (12% of American exports).
France ranked second in the world in terms of arms exports, with a share of 9.8%, increasing the volume of supplies by 21%. The main buyers of French weapons are India (24%), Egypt (11%) and Greece (10%). Deliveries to Europe have increased more than fivefold.
In contrast, Russia has lost significant market share, with its exports falling by 64% and its share of the world market falling to 6.8%. Almost three-quarters of Russian deliveries went to India, China and Belarus alone.
Among other major exporters, Germany ranked fourth (5.7%) and directed 24% of its exports to Ukraine in the form of military aid. Italy showed one of the fastest growth rates — +157%, rising from tenth to sixth place in the world ranking.
Other regions of the world show different trends. In Asia and Oceania, arms imports fell by 20%, largely due to a sharp drop in purchases by China (-72%), but the region remained the second largest supplier, accounting for 31% of global imports. In the Middle East, imports fell by 13%, Africa fell by 41%, while South America increased imports by 31%, mainly due to a sharp increase in purchases by Brazil.
Thus, in five years, Ukraine has not only become the largest arms importer in the world, but has also changed the balance of supplies in Europe, forcing the region to significantly increase defense budgets and strengthen cooperation with leading arms suppliers.
