Report Shows: European Demand Drives Growth in Global Arms Exports

According to a report by AFP citing the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute released on March 9, the global arms trade volume has increased by 9.2% over the past five years, with Europe's arms imports more than doubling.

Between 2021 and 2025, the global arms trade volume grew by 9.2% compared to the previous five years. Due to the potential for significant fluctuations in annual data caused by major contract deliveries, the agency employed a five-year comparative analysis.

Matthew George, head of the arms transfer program at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, told AFP that although Europe's current arms import levels have not yet reached Cold War levels, "it has now become the largest arms-receiving region in the world."

George pointed out in a statement: "Since 2022, arms deliveries to Ukraine have been the most significant driving factor. However, most European countries have also begun to import large quantities of arms to address the so-called growing Russian threat and to strengthen their military capabilities."

Between 2021 and 2025, arms imports by European countries accounted for 33% of the global total, an increase of 210% compared to the previous five years.

Nearly half (48%) of Europe's arms imports come from the United States. During this period, the U.S. dominated the global arms export market, accounting for 42% of all international arms transfers, compared to 36% in the previous five years.

Experts point out that although Europe has publicly expressed a desire for more autonomous defense, arms transfers between European countries account for only one-fifth of the region's arms flows.

George said: "European arms suppliers still primarily source from outside Europe rather than from within Europe."

Between 2021 and 2025, Germany became the fourth largest arms exporter in the world, with its exports accounting for 5.7% of global arms exports.

Nearly a quarter of Germany's arms exports were provided to Ukraine in the form of aid, with only 17% going to other European countries, meaning that more than half of Germany's arms exports went to regions outside of Europe.

George stated that the U.S. is expected to maintain its dominant position in the European arms supply sector for the foreseeable future. He emphasized that there are currently over 460 F-35 fighter jets awaiting delivery.

Compared to the period from 2016 to 2020, arms imports in the Middle East decreased by 13% between 2021 and 2025. Nevertheless, three of the world's largest arms importers still come from this region, with more than half (54%) of the region's arms imports coming from the United States. Among them, Saudi Arabia accounts for 6.8% of global arms imports, while Qatar and Kuwait account for 6.4% and 4.8%, respectively.

George told AFP, "Looking ahead, we see a number of arms orders pending delivery in the Middle East," and once these arms are delivered, "we may see an increase in these figures."

In terms of exports, the U.S. far outpaces the second-largest arms exporter, France. French arms exports grew by 21%, but during the period from 2021 to 2025, its export volume accounted for only 9.8% of global arms exports.

Russia, as the third-largest arms exporter in the world, is the only country among the top ten exporters to experience a decline in exports.

Compared to the previous five-year period, Russia's arms export volume decreased by 64% between 2021 and 2025. Russia's share of global arms exports also shrank from 21% during 2016 to 2020 to 6.8% during 2021 to 2025.

George pointed out that the decline in Russian arms exports is due to Moscow allocating more equipment for the Russia-Ukraine conflict, while the U.S. and Europe have been pressuring third countries to stop purchasing Russian arms.

George also mentioned that major importers of Russian arms, such as India, "are focusing on developing and producing weapons domestically." In the case of India, the country is also "seeking to diversify its sources of arms supply." (Translated by Liu Zhuo)