Europe imported more weapons ahead of war in Ukraine, report says

Europe saw some of the biggest growth in arms imports among world regions before Russia went to war with Ukraine, and the continent is expected to bolster defense capabilities in the coming decade, according to a report.

A study by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute showed imports of major arms by European states between 2017 and 2021 rose 19% compared to the previous five years. European states accounted for 13% of global arms transfers in that time, up from 10% in the previous five-year period, the report said.

The largest arms buyers in Europe were the U.K., Norway and Netherlands, the report said. Imports for the region were set to accelerate with other European countries recently placing large orders for new weaponry, particularly combat aircraft from the U.S, according to the study.

“The severe deterioration in relations between most European states and Russia was an important driver of growth in European arms imports, especially for states that cannot meet all their requirements through their national arms industries,” said Pieter Wezeman, senior researcher with the SIPRI arms transfers program.

Europe has strengthened its defense posture amid the growing prospect of conflict with Russia after President Vladimir Putin ordered forces into Ukraine on Feb. 24. The attack prompted Germany to plan a massive boost in defense in an historic policy shift, while Denmark and Sweden now have ambitions to meet the defense spending target that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization has set for its members.

Ukraine, which has its own weapons manufacturing sector, was also buying arms from overseas during the five years to 2021. The Czech Republic was the main supplier of arms to Ukraine, accounting for 41% of imports followed by the U.S. at 31%.

China concerns

The U.S.’s share of the international arms exports rose to 39% over the last five years while Russia and China have decreased to 19% and 4.6%, respectively. Among importing regions, Asia and Oceania remain the largest buyers for major arms, receiving 43% of global transfers since 2017.

“Tensions between China and many states in Asia and Oceania are the main driver of arms imports in the region,” said Siemon Wezeman, another researcher with SIPRI. “These tensions are also a major factor in U.S. arms transfers to the region.”

India was the world’s largest importer of weapons between 2017 and 2021. Five other countries, including Australia, China, South Korea, Pakistan and Japan, were among the top ten buyers of arms.

International transfers of major arms globally saw a 4.6% drop in 2017-2021 from the previous period. Arms imports from Russia to India dropped by 47% although it remained a major buyer of weapons from the country. India’s reliance on Russian weapons has been a key consideration in India declining to condemn Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. Arms exports by the U.K. dropped by 41% in the five-year period from 2012 to 2016. Taiwan’s arms imports shrank by 68% during that period, but are set to increase significantly in the coming years.