US EditionEurope now world's biggest arms importer, think tank says
Europe's arms imports surged 210% from 2016-20 to 2021-25, driven by support for Ukraine and military rebuilding, now accounting for 33% of global arms imports, SIPRI reports.
- Europe has become the world's largest arms importer over the last five years due to Russia's threat and decreasing confidence in U.S. commitments, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
- Arms imports by European countries increased more than threefold from 2016-2020 to supply Ukraine and strengthen their militaries after years of under-investment.
- Europe accounted for 33% of global arms imports, rising from 12% in the previous five-year period.
- Despite ramping up domestic production, European countries continued to purchase U.S. weapons, including combat aircraft and air-defense systems.
91 Articles
91 Articles
After the war in Ukraine, which consumes munitions, the conflict in the Middle East further increases the tension on the stockpiles of weapons and again highlights the capacity limits of the West. Faced with a situation deemed "critical", European countries accelerate their missile production and increase the budget of their armies.
New data show a significant increase in arms purchases on the continent. The war in Ukraine and growing security concerns strongly drive demand for military equipment.
Global Arms Flow Jump Nearly 10 per cent as European Demand Soars due to Transfers to Ukraine
Credit: UNDP UkraineBy Thalif DeenUNITED NATIONS, Mar 10 2026 (IPS) The ongoing military conflict between Ukraine and Russia—which began February 2022, with no visible signs of ending—has triggered major arms transfers to Europe. According to the latest report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the volume of major arms transferred between states increased by 9.2 per cent between 2016–20 and 2021–25. And states in …
Europe Becomes World’s Biggest Importer of Arms
While Brussels dreams about the great potential of European manufacturing, the reality is that the continent has become the world’s biggest arms importer. That is according to new research from Stockholm’s International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), which shows this transition took place over the past five years, especially since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In particular, European states more than trebled their imports of weapons in 2021-2…
Europe stands as the region that has increased its arms imports the most around the world...
Europe Becomes World’s Biggest Arms Importer: Think Tank
Europe has become the world’s biggest arms importer over the last five years, as governments seek to rearm amid the perceived threat from Russia, according to a think tank report published March 9. Data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) showed that Europe accounted for 33 percent of global arms imports, rising by 210 percent between 2016–2020 and 2021–2025, according to a statement. Per SIPRI’s fact sheet, Europe …
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 35% of the sources lean Left, 35% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
