The United States has strengthened its dominance in the global arms trade, accounting for 43% of all major arms exports between 2020 and 2024, according to a new report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
The latest data highlights a growing divide in the global defense market, with U.S. exports rising while Russia, once a major arms supplier, has seen its international weapons sales plummet by 64%.
According to SIPRI, the U.S. arms industry expanded its global reach by increasing sales to 107 countries, with European NATO members and key Middle Eastern allies driving demand. For the first time in two decades, the largest share of U.S. arms exports—35%—went to Europe, surpassing the Middle East, which accounted for 33%. Saudi Arabia remained the single largest customer, receiving 12% of all U.S. arms exports.
The United States has cemented its position as the world’s top supplier of advanced military systems, including long-range precision weapons, combat aircraft, and missile defense systems. SIPRI’s data shows that Washington supplied nearly 500 combat aircraft to European NATO allies and other partners during the reporting period, underscoring the demand for next-generation fighter jets such as the F-35.
“The U.S. is in a unique position when it comes to arms exports. At 43%, its share of global arms exports is more than four times that of France, the next-largest supplier,” said Mathew George, Program Director at SIPRI. “The U.S. continues to be the preferred provider of advanced long-range strike capabilities, including combat aircraft and missile systems.”
While U.S. exports surged, Russia’s position in the global arms market has deteriorated significantly. SIPRI’s report shows that Russian arms exports fell by 64% compared to the previous five-year period, marking one of the steepest declines in modern history.
The decline in Russian exports began before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, but the war has accelerated the trend. Western sanctions have disrupted Russia’s ability to manufacture and deliver weapons, while domestic demand for military equipment has skyrocketed as the Kremlin prioritizes its war effort over international sales.
The loss of traditional buyers such as India, which has increasingly turned to Western and indigenous suppliers, has also weakened Russia’s defense export market. India accounted for 38% of Russian arms sales, but the shift toward domestic production and Western partnerships has reduced its reliance on Moscow.
“Russia’s arms exports have been hit by multiple factors: sanctions, production constraints, and the redirection of resources to Ukraine,” said Pieter Wezeman, a senior researcher at SIPRI. “In addition, some traditional buyers, including India and China, are now developing their own weapons industries.”
As Russia’s arms sales declined, France has emerged as the world’s second-largest arms exporter, increasing its share of the market to 9.6%. The French defense industry has benefited from major fighter jet contracts with Greece, Croatia, and Qatar, as well as significant arms shipments to Ukraine following Russia’s invasion.
“France’s rise in the arms market has been fueled by strong sales of the Rafale fighter jet and its expanding role in European security,” said George. “The country has nearly tripled its arms exports to European states, reflecting growing demand for European-made military equipment.”
The SIPRI report also highlights a growing reliance on U.S.-supplied arms among European NATO members. The data shows that European NATO countries more than doubled their arms imports between 2015–2019 and 2020–2024, with the U.S. supplying 64% of those purchases.
“With an increasingly aggressive Russia and uncertainty over U.S. foreign policy, European states have made efforts to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers,” Wezeman noted. “However, the transatlantic defense relationship remains strong, with European allies continuing to rely on U.S. weapons for their long-term security needs.”
SIPRI’s findings suggest that while the overall volume of arms transfers has remained stable compared to previous periods, regional shifts in demand are reshaping the global defense landscape. While arms imports to Europe and the Americas have surged, purchases by countries in the Middle East and Asia have declined.
- China’s arms imports fell by 64%, as Beijing has increased domestic production and reduced its reliance on Russian weapons.
- Saudi Arabia’s arms imports dropped by 41%, while Qatar became the world’s third-largest arms importer.
- India’s arms imports decreased by 9.3%, with a significant reduction in Russian-supplied weapons.
The SIPRI report underscores the growing dominance of the U.S. in the global arms trade, with American-made weapons playing a central role in military modernization efforts worldwide. While Russia’s decline continues, France and other European manufacturers are expanding their presence in the market, particularly within NATO.
As the demand for high-tech weaponry and long-range precision systems grows, the competition for arms sales is likely to intensify, with geopolitical alliances shaping future arms trade dynamics.
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