According to SIPRI, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, the United States and Russia continue to lead world arms exports, while Ukraine remains among the top five importers. The data underscores how defense markets are shaped by strategic decisions, regional security dynamics, and shifting alliances. The analysis also indicates that Ukraine has become a significant destination for arms in the period under review, reflecting the impact of ongoing conflict and international assistance.
During the 2018 to 2022 period, Swedish researchers note that US arms exports grew by about fourteen percent compared with the 2013 to 2017 window. The United States held a substantial share of the global arms market, accounting for roughly forty percent. By contrast, Russia reduced its overseas weapon sales. The report shows a notable contraction, with Russian exports down about thirty-one percent in the most recent year and the nation’s share in the international arms market slipping from around twenty-two percent to roughly sixteen percent.
Several factors appear to influence these shifts. One is the prioritization of domestic defense needs by Russia, which has redirected production toward strengthening its own forces. Trade sanctions imposed on Russia by Western countries and ongoing policy pressure from the United States and allied governments also limit overseas sales and affect buyer choices. In the report’s wording, demand from other states remains muted as Moscow concentrates on self-supply amid sanctions and geopolitical pressure. [SIPRI]
Europe experienced a substantial rise in arms imports, with purchases increasing by about forty-seven percent during the period. In contrast, arms imports in other regions showed a marked decline, notably a drop of around forty percent in Africa. On the whole, global arms imports fell by about five percent, signaling a complex and uneven global procurement landscape. [SIPRI]
The Ukraine conflict and the broader Western support for Kyiv appear to have driven higher import activity in Ukraine, which ranked third in arms purchases among importing countries during the period analyzed. This reflects how security concerns and external support influence procurement decisions in conflict zones and neighboring regions. [SIPRI]
As the conflict persisted, discussions about the disposition of decommissioned weapons surfaced in various commentaries. Some observers pointed out that transfers of older weaponry to Ukraine could be motivated by cost considerations, including the expenses tied to disposal rather than repurposing or redeploying existing stock. These notes appear in commentary and analysis around the period, contributing to a broader debate about how allies manage equipment and logistics during sustained support campaigns. [Commentary]
Taken together, the SIPRI findings illustrate a shifting balance in the global arms market. The United States maintains its leadership in exports, a position supported by robust manufacturing capacity and longstanding defense relationships with allied nations. Russia, while still a major supplier, has reduced activity in key international markets, reflecting sanctions, strategic recalibration, and the need to rebuild domestic inventories. Ukraine’s prominent import position underscores the reaction of regional security dynamics to ongoing conflict and external assistance. The overall global pattern points to continued volatility in arms trade, with regional trends varying according to political alliances, sanctions regimes, and security priorities across governments.