Stockholm, Mar 10 (V7N) – Russia’s arms exports have dropped by 63 percent between 2015 and 2024, marking a significant decline in the country's defense trade. The years 2021 and 2022 saw Russia’s lowest arms sales in two decades, according to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

While Russia’s arms sales declined, the United States expanded its dominance in the global weapons market, supplying arms to 107 countries between 2020 and 2024. The report indicates that 9 percent of all global arms exports during this period went to Ukraine, making it the largest weapons importer in the world.

European arms imports increased by 15 percent due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, reflecting growing security concerns. Matthew George, one of the report’s authors, noted that European countries are boosting their defense capabilities out of fear of further Russian aggression.

35 countries supplied arms to Ukraine between 2020 and 2024.

The United States alone accounted for 45 percent of Ukraine’s imports, followed by Germany (12 percent) and Poland (11 percent).

Traditional arms importers such as Saudi Arabia, India, and China reduced their purchases during this period.

The U.S. arms industry remains dominant, exporting four times more weapons than France, the world's second-largest arms exporter.

The SIPRI report also highlights that uncertainty over U.S. foreign policy has contributed to rising global arms sales, as nations seek to bolster their defense capabilities amid shifting geopolitical landscapes.

With rising tensions in Europe and beyond, the global arms trade is likely to remain a key factor in international relations, shaping military strategies and alliances for years to come.

END/MSS/AJ