Arms imports to Europe have tripled, according to the latest report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), DPA reported, quoted by BTA.
Overall, global arms deliveries increased by 9.2% compared to the last two five-year periods, according to SIPRI data, which assesses the volume of arms deliveries, not their financial value.
Since volumes vary significantly depending on orders in each year, the researchers focus on long-term trends and compare five-year periods rather than individual years.
The report for the period 2021-2025 compared to 2016-2020 European countries have tripled their arms imports, a trend driven by Russia's war in Ukraine. But the Russian threat is prompting European countries to bolster their own defense capabilities.
“Russia is solely responsible for the sharp increase in arms imports into Europe,” said Katarina Jokic, a SIPRI expert.
Uncertainty about the extent to which the United States would protect its NATO partners in the event of an emergency has also contributed to the increase in demand for arms among European NATO countries, the researchers said. But Europe still buys weapons mainly from the US.
"For the first time in two decades, the largest share of US arms exports is to Europe rather than the Middle East," the report said, with the continent accounting for 38%.
"European companies have increased their arms production and new EU investment aid for the defence industry in member states has led to a number of orders within the EU, but European countries continued to import weapons from the US between 2021 and 2025," added Jokic.
This is particularly true for fighter jets and long-range air defence systems, which are considered particularly effective in Europe.
Countries such as Romania and Poland have also purchased US-made weapons to strengthen their partnership with the US.
"If you already have with US systems – such as the Patriot air defence system used by Germany – then there are many logistical and training reasons to continue using them&rdash;, she added.
Tensions and war in the Middle East are likely to lead to a continued increase in demand for arms in Europe in the future, the analysis shows.
At the same time, US attacks on Iran could have other consequences. –& Between 2021 and 2025, the US accounted for 42% of all international arms transfers and exported weapons to 99 countries.
The second and third largest arms exporters during the period under review were France and Russia. Russian exports fell by 64%.
Amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, Kiev remains the largest importer, followed by India, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Pakistan.
SIPRI is an independent peace research institute based in Stockholm, which is largely funded by the state and publishes annual reports on the arms trade, the arms industry, nuclear weapons and military spending.