The volume of international trade in major arms has increased by 9.2% between the periods of 2016-2020 and 2021-2025, according to a recent report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), published on March 9.
European nations have notably tripled their arms imports, positioning the region as the largest recipient of weapons globally. This surge includes a 217% increase in arms imports from the United States. The U.S. has also raised its overall arms exports by 27%, maintaining its status as the world’s largest arms exporter, accounting for 42% of the global market.
Ukraine has emerged as the largest importer of weapons in the past five years, receiving 9.7% of the total global arms imports during the 2021-2025 period, a stark contrast to just 0.1% from 2016-2020. SIPRI highlights that this marks the first time in two decades that the largest share of U.S. arms exports (38%) has been directed to Europe, with military assistance to Ukraine making up a quarter of that figure, approximately 9.4% of total U.S. arms exports.
Analysts note a significant increase in secrecy surrounding U.S. arms exports to Ukraine in 2025, complicating efforts to provide accurate assessments. However, publicly available information suggests that the administration of former President Donald Trump reduced military aid to Ukraine during that year.
In early March, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the PURL (Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List) program, which facilitates arms purchases from the U.S. for Ukraine, is operational. He cautioned that ongoing military activities in Iran could impact the availability of air defense systems for Ukraine.
In the summer of 2025, the U.S. and NATO formalized the PURL agreement, which coordinates the transfer of American arms to Ukraine funded by European nations. According to Ukrainian authorities, contributions to the PURL program reached $4.3 billion in 2025, with nearly $1.5 billion allocated in December alone.
The SIPRI report reveals a notable rise in global arms trade, particularly driven by European nations and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. With Ukraine becoming the largest arms importer, the dynamics of international military support are significantly shifting.