Arms imports by states in Europe surged by 94% in the period from 2019 to 2023 compared to the preceding five years, according to a report released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) on March 11. 

Ukraine, at war with Russia since February 2022, accounted for almost one quarter (23%) of Europe’s arms imports, making it the biggest importer of weapons on the continent and the fourth largest globally. 

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine also posed security challenges to other European nations, especially those on Nato’s Eastern Flank, which have ramped up their own arms purchases. At least 30 states, mainly European, are also sending military aid to Ukraine.

The US accounted for 39% of Ukrainian arms imports from 2019 to 2023, with Germany (14%) and Poland (13%) following. In an effort to enhance Ukraine's military capabilities, suppliers began providing long-range systems in 2023. Poland and Slovakia contributed 27 surplus combat aircraft, while France and the UK supplied missiles with a range of 300 kilometres. Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway initiated preparations for delivering more than 50 surplus combat aircraft throughout the year.

Russia, on the other hand, relied primarily on its own arms industry for its major arms acquisitions. However, Moscow resorted to importing flying bombs from Iran and ballistic missiles from North Korea in 2022–23, in contravention of a United Nations arms embargo on North Korea.

Ukraine’s allies in Europe are also arming themselves. “Russia’s initial invasion of Ukraine in 2014 increased the demand for arms in West and Central European states,” says the SIPRI report. 

By the end of 2023, these states had collectively placed orders for 791 combat aircraft and combat helicopters. The escalating conflict prompted many European states to expedite their procurement processes and bolster their defence capabilities. 

In a bid to counter Russia’s missile campaign against Ukraine, several West and Central European states supplied air defence systems to Ukraine and expedited existing procurement processes. Poland, for instance, ordered 12 air defence systems from the US in 2023, while Germany secured a high-value system from Israel. Austria, Estonia, Latvia, and Slovenia ordered air defence systems from Germany, while Finland and Slovakia opted for Israeli systems. Lithuania and the Netherlands also bolstered their defence arsenals by ordering Norwegian systems.

"With many high-value arms on order, including nearly 800 combat aircraft and combat helicopters, European arms imports are likely to remain at a high level," said Pieter Wezeman, senior researcher with the SIPRI Arms Transfers Programme.

“In the past two years we have also seen much greater demand for air defence systems in Europe, spurred on by Russia’s missile campaign against Ukraine,” Wezeman added. 

Apart from Ukraine, the UK and the Netherlands emerged as significant arms importers in Europe, together accounting for 20% of the region's arms imports during 2019-23. The US remained the primary supplier to the region, contributing to 55% of European arms imports during the same period, followed by Germany and France.

Global trends 

Globally, the volume of international arms transfers decreased by 3.3%, with only Europe increasing its imports during the five-year period. 

Overall, 170 states were importers of major arms between 2019 and 2023. The top five importers were India, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Ukraine and Pakistan, absorbing 35% of all global arms imports. 

Countries in Asia and Oceania received 37% of total arms imports. They were followed by Middle Eastern nations at 30%, European countries at 21%, the Americas at 5.7% and Africa at 4.3%.

While arms imports to Africa declined, Asia and Oceania remained the largest importers, driven primarily by tensions between India and Pakistan, as well as China and its neighbours. Nine of the 10 biggest arms importers in 2019-23 were located in Asia and Oceania or the Middle East.

India's arms imports surged by 4.7% from 2014-18 to 2019-23, primarily driven by tensions with Pakistan and China, securing its position as the world's leading arms importer during 2019-23, commanding a share of 9.8% of global imports. Although Russia remained a key supplier, its dominance dwindled from 76% in 2009-13 to 36% in 2019-23, prompting India to diversify towards Western sources like France and the US, along with bolstering its domestic arms industry. 

Pakistan's arms imports surged by 43% from 2014-18 to 2019-23, constituting 4.3% of global imports and ranking it fifth globally. Pakistan continued strengthening its arms procurement ties with China, with 82% of imports sourced from China during 2019-23. 

Two East Asian neighbours of China ramped up their arms imports in 2019-23: Japan’s imports surged by 155%, while South Korea's saw a more modest increase of 6.5%.

‘There is little doubt that the sustained high levels of arms imports by Japan and other US allies and partners in Asia and Oceania are largely driven by one key factor: concern over China’s ambitions,’ said Siemon Wezeman, senior researcher with the SIPRI Arms Transfers Programme. ‘The USA, which shares their perception of a Chinese threat, is a growing supplier to the region.’

 In contrast, China’s imports fell by 44% in its own arms imports. This reduction primarily stemmed from a strategic shift towards substituting imported arms, primarily sourced from Russia, with domestically produced systems. 

Middle Eastern tensions 

In the period from 2019 to 2023, the Middle East accounted for 30% of global arms transfers. Among the top 10 importers during this period were Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Egypt. 

Saudi Arabia ranked as the world's second-largest arms importer, receiving 8.4% of global imports, despite a 28% decrease from the record levels of 2014-18. Meanwhile, Qatar's arms imports surged nearly fourfold (+396%) from 2014-18 to 2019-23, positioning it as the third-largest importer globally during the latter period. 

The US dominated arms supplies to Middle Eastern states, accounting for 52% of the total, followed by France (12%), Italy (10%), and Germany (7.1%).

“Despite an overall drop in arms imports to the Middle East, they remain high in some states, driven largely by regional conflicts and tensions,” said Zain Hussain, researcher at SIPRI. 

“Major arms imported in the past 10 years have been used widely in conflicts in the region, including in Gaza, Lebanon and Yemen. Some states in the Gulf region have imported large volumes of arms to use against the Houthis in Yemen and to counter Iranian influence.”

US and France ramp up exports

SIPRI identified 66 states as major arms exporters during 2019-23. The US, France, Russia, China, and Germany, the top five exporters, collectively contributing 75% of global arms exports. Both the US and France increased their arms exports over the last give years. 

The US, as the largest arms supplier globally, raised its exports by 17%, contrasting sharply with Russia's 53% decrease. “The USA has increased its global role as an arms supplier — an important aspect of its foreign policy — exporting more arms to more countries than it has ever done in the past. This comes at a time when the USA’s economic and geopolitical dominance is being challenged by emerging powers,’ said Mathew George, director of the SIPRI Arms Transfers Programme.

France's arms exports surged by 47%, surpassing Russia to become the second-largest supplier. Katarina Djokic, a SIPRI researcher, noted France's successful leveraging of strong global demand to bolster its arms industry, particularly in combat aircraft sales outside of Europe.