Ukraine's arms imports skyrocket by over 6,000%, becoming Europe's largest buyer
Ukraine has seen a meteoric rise in its arms imports, becoming Europe's largest over the last five years, according to the latest data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)
Russia's weapon exports have declined by nearly half at the same time, falling to third place among the world's largest arms suppliers.
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The United States solidified its spot as the top arms exporter globally between 2019 and 2023, with a 17% increase in major military equipment exports compared to the 2014-2018 period. The U.S. has now provided primary weapons to 107 countries, a record number that underscores its dominant position in the arms market.
European nations have increasingly turned to the U.S. for their arms, with American exports accounting for 55% of the arms imported by European countries during the same period, a significant jump from the previous five years. France now ranks as the second-largest global arms exporter, with Russia trailing behind.
The spotlight, however, is on Ukraine, which not only became the largest arms importer in Europe but also ranked fourth worldwide between 2019 and 2023. The surge in military imports to Kyiv is unprecedented, recording a staggering 6,633% increase, as countries worldwide rally to supply arms. Since February 2022, around 30 countries have contributed to Ukraine's arsenal, with the United States leading the pack at 39%, followed by Germany at 14%, and Poland at 13%.
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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
