Ukraine becomes world's largest arms importer as Russian exports collapse - SIPRI

Ukraine – leader in purchases

According to the report, during the last five years, Ukraine became the largest recipient of weapons in the world, accounting for 9.7% of total global imports.

In the ranking of the largest arms importers after Ukraine come India, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Pakistan. Stockholm International Peace Research Institute notes that after the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine received weapons from at least 36 countries.

Who are the largest suppliers

• United States – undisputed leader, providing 41% of all deliveries.
• Germany – took second place with a share of 14%.
• Poland – closes the top three key partners with a share of 9.4%.

Analysts note that in 2025, volumes of deliveries slightly decreased compared with the peak years of 2023–2024. This is due to the reduction of American aid and growing secrecy around the transfer of certain types of weapons.

At the same time, 25 countries around the world concluded agreements with the United States to purchase air defense missiles and aerial bombs specifically for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Global arms exports

In global arms exports during this period, leaders remain the United States, France, Russia, Germany, and China, which together accounted for about 70% of all deliveries.

At the same time role of Germany in the arms market increased, as it overtook China and became the fourth largest exporter. A significant part of German deliveries (about 24%) was directed specifically to Ukraine.

Russia loses influence in the market

According to the report, Russia is rapidly losing its position as a major arms seller. Its share of the global export market decreased from 21% (in 2016–2020) to a critical 6.8% (in 2021–2025).

Analysts of Stockholm International Peace Research Institute note that this happened because most weapons Russia is now forced to use to supply its own army in the war against Ukraine, as well as due to large-scale international sanctions.

Now, Russian exports consist mainly of deliveries to India, China, and Belarus, but the overall trend indicates an unprecedented collapse of Russian influence on the global arms market.

Last year, Ukraine also topped the global ranking of arms importers, with about half of deliveries coming from the United States.

PURL program

As is known, on July 14, 2025 United States, together with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, launched the PURL program, which allows the supply of American weapons to Ukraine with financial support from European countries. Under this scheme, Kyiv can receive air defense systems, missiles, and ammunition.

Funds for the program have already been allocated by the following countries: Denmark – about 580 million Danish kroner, Sweden – 275 million dollars, Norway – 135 million dollars, the Netherlands – 500 million euros, and Germany has also made its contribution.

First deliveries of military equipment under the PURL program arrived in Ukraine in September 2025. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization assured that even after a change in United States policy, weapons supplies to Ukraine will continue without interruption.