The report shows that Europe has overtaken Asia and the Middle East to become the world’s largest importer of weapons. During the 2016–2020 period, Asia and Oceania accounted for the largest share of global arms imports at 42 percent, followed by the Middle East with 32 percent. Europe ranked third with just 12 percent.

In the latest reporting period, however, Europe has almost tripled its arms imports, now accounting for 33 percent of global imports. Asia and Oceania follow with 31 percent, while the Middle East represents 26 percent.

“The sharp increase in arms flows to European states pushed global arms transfers up almost 10 percent,” said Mathew George, one of the authors of the report.

The outbreak of the Russia–Ukraine War was identified as the main driver of Europe’s increased arms purchases. According to George, many European states have significantly expanded their military imports to strengthen their defence capabilities in response to what they perceive as a growing threat from Russia.

War in Ukraine fuels European rearmament

The war in Ukraine has played a central role in reshaping Europe’s defence posture. However, SIPRI notes that the volume of US arms deliveries directly sent to Ukraine in 2025 was considerably lower than in the previous two years.

Since returning to the White House, Donald Trump has reduced the level of direct military assistance provided by the United States to Kyiv.

Even so, the US continues to supply weapons indirectly. When allies such as European Union countries, Australia or Canada purchase US-made equipment—such as air defence systems—and transfer them to Ukraine, SIPRI still classifies these as US arms exports to Ukraine.

Beyond support for Kyiv, European NATO members have also increased their arms imports due to broader security concerns, including tensions with Russia and renewed pressure from Washington for Europe to strengthen its own defence capacity.

According to the SIPRI report, arms imports by the 29 European NATO members rose by 143 percent between 2021 and 2025 compared with the 2016–2020 period.

Among them, Poland has become the largest arms importer, accounting for 17 percent of arms imports among European NATO states and about 3.6 percent of global imports. SIPRI reports that Polish arms imports surged by 852 percent between 2021 and 2025 compared with the 2016–2020 period.

United States strengthens dominance in global arms trade

Despite a decline in some deliveries in 2025, the United States remains the most important arms supplier to Ukraine and, together with South Korea, a major weapons supplier to European countries.

Globally, several European states—including France, Italy and Germany—have also expanded their roles as arms exporters.

Germany has overtaken China to become the world’s fourth-largest arms exporter, with a 5.7 percent share of the global market.

Meanwhile, the United States has further expanded its dominance in the global arms trade. It accounted for 42 percent of international arms deliveries between 2021 and 2025, up from 36 percent between 2016 and 2020, supplying weapons to 99 countries.

“The USA has further cemented its dominance as an arms supplier, even in an increasingly multipolar world,” said Pieter Wezeman. He added that under Trump, the United States has increasingly used arms exports as a tool of foreign policy.

Elsewhere, arms imports have also increased in South Asia. India and Pakistan—both nuclear-armed neighbours with long-standing border tensions—remain among the world’s ten largest arms importers. India also faces ongoing tensions with China along their disputed border, while Pakistan continues to face security challenges linked to instability in Afghanistan.