According to the latest data released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) on Monday, March 9, global arms trade has increased by 9.2% over the past five years. The United States has further solidified its position as the world’s largest arms exporter, with its market share jumping from 36% to 42%.
At the same time, in order to assist Ukraine and respond to the threat from Russia, Europe saw its arms imports more than double from 2021 to 2025 compared to the previous five years (+210%), making it the largest arms importing region in the world. In the face of the military expansion threat from China, Japan and Taiwan have also significantly increased their arms procurement.
SIPRI’s Director of Arms and Military Expenditure Program, Mathew George, pointed out: “While tensions and conflicts in Asia, Oceania, and the Middle East continue to drive large-scale arms imports, the dramatic increase in arms flows to European countries has pushed global arms transfers up by nearly 10%.”
Data shows that Europe currently accounts for 33% of the total global arms imports, with the main purchases being American fighter jets and long-range air defense systems.
The United States saw a 27% increase in arms exports from 2021 to 2025, selling to 99 countries. It is noteworthy that for the first time in 20 years, the US export share to Europe (38%) has surpassed that to the Middle East (33%).
SIPRI Senior Researcher Pieter Wezeman analyzed: “The United States has further solidified its dominant position as an arms supplier, even in an increasingly multipolar world.”
He added that importing countries see American-made weapons as a means to enhance military capabilities and maintain relations with the US, while for the US, arms exports serve as both a diplomatic tool and a means to strengthen the domestic defense industry.
“The Trump administration’s new ‘America First Arms Transfer Strategy’ once again clearly demonstrates this.” Wezeman said.
France ranks as the world’s second-largest supplier with a market share of 9.8%, thanks to strong exports to India, Egypt, and Indonesia. Italy performed impressively with a 157% increase in exports, rising from the tenth to sixth position.
In contrast, Russia’s export share dropped from 21% to 6.8% due to its aggression towards Ukraine, with nearly three-quarters of its exports now concentrated in India, China, and Belarus.
Despite being embroiled in conflict, Israel has surpassed the UK to become the world’s seventh-largest supplier.
SIPRI researcher Zain Hussain mentioned: “Despite Israel’s operations in Gaza and attacks on Iran, Lebanon, Qatar, Syria, and Yemen, it has managed to increase its global arms export share.”
“The Israeli defense industry focuses on air defense systems with high global demand. At the same time, the Israeli military still relies on imports for several key equipment types.” Hussain stated.
The overall arms imports in the Asia and Oceania region decreased by 20%, mainly due to China falling out of the top ten importers for the first time since 1991 as it expands domestic production.
However, Japan (+76%) and Taiwan (+54%) saw significant increases in arms imports. Wezeman stated: “Concerns over China’s (CCP) ambitions and its growing military capabilities continue to drive arms build-up in Asia and other areas of Oceania.”
Arms imports in the Middle East region decreased by 13%, but Saudi Arabia and Qatar still rank among the top four global buyers.
However, experts anticipate that with recent regional conflicts escalating, Middle Eastern countries will further increase their demand for missile defense and air defense systems in the future.
“They will first replenish the equipment they have used up and also consider purchasing more equipment to enhance their defense capabilities beyond what they have now.” Wezeman said.