U.S. Arms Exports Surge to 43% of Global Market Amid Ukraine War

New data highlights how the Ukraine conflict and European rearmament have bolstered U.S. dominance in the global arms trade, while Russia's exports plummet.

The United States accounted for 43% of global arms exports from 2020 to 2024, a significant increase from its historical average of 35%.
Ukraine became the largest global arms importer during this period, with imports nearly 100 times higher than between 2015 and 2019, reflecting the impact of Russia's 2022 invasion.
European nations increased arms imports by 155% in response to perceived threats from Russia, further driving demand for U.S. weapons.
Russia's arms exports dropped 64% over the past five years, due to sanctions, battlefield demands, and shifting alliances with key buyers like India and China.
Uncertainty about U.S. foreign policy under President Trump has prompted some European NATO countries to explore reducing reliance on American arms while still placing substantial orders.