The Ukraine War, now entering its fourth year, has left a significant impact on the global arms industry. A new report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute has unveiled the scale of the arms race in Europe. Let’s take a look at the striking data featured in the report.

Arms imports by European countries have increased by 155% over the past 5 years. Turkey, on the other hand, has seen a 103% increase in arms exports.

The ongoing Ukraine War in its fourth year has marked the global arms industry. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute’s report, the Russian threat has accelerated the arms race in European countries.

Between 2015 and 2019, Europe had an 11% share in global arms imports. This percentage has risen to 28% for the period of 2020-2024.

EUROPE’S DEPENDENCE ON AMERICAN ARMS

The report also sheds light on Europe’s dependency on American weapons.

While arms imports to Europe increased by 155% over the past 5 years, 64% of these weapons were provided by the United States.

UKRAINE’S ARMS IMPORTS

Ukraine witnessed an approximate 100-fold increase in arms imports during the period of 2020-2024. The Kiev administration, accounting for around 9% of global arms imports, has become the largest importer in Europe.

45% of the arms acquired by Ukraine were supplied by the USA, while Germany provided 12% of them.

It was reported that at least 35 countries have sent arms to Ukraine since the war began in 2022.

USA SOLD WEAPONS TO 107 COUNTRIES

The share of American companies in global arms exports increased from 35% in the 2015-2019 period to 43% over the last 5 years. During this time, the United States maintained its leading position by selling weapons to a total of 107 countries.

WHO BOUGHT AMERICAN WEAPONS? European countries accounted for 35% of American weapons, while Middle Eastern countries slipped to second place with 33%.

While Russia dropped from second to third place, going from 21% to 8% in the 2020-2024 period, France rose to become the world’s second-largest arms supplier over the past 5 years, with China following at 6% in the fourth position.

TURKEY’S ARMS EXPORTS ON THE RISE Turkey also saw a 103% increase in arms exports during this period.

Despite the conflict in Gaza, Israel’s arms imports remained largely steady. The United States provided 66% of the arms supplied to Israel, followed by Germany at 33% in the second position.