America controls the world through arms trade
When we talk about the world’s arms trade, it is not just about one country selling guns or bombs to another. It is a vast field that combines world power politics, security alliances, regional wars, technological power and diplomatic influence. When analyzing the period 2021–2025, the most recent full 5-year period, SIPRI, one of the world’s most famous data sources, shows that the amount of global arms transfers has increased by 9.2 percent compared to the previous 5 years. The main reason for this growth is the increase in arms imports to Ukraine and other European countries.
During this period, the United States was the absolute leader in arms exports in the world. According to SIPRI, the United States provided 42 percent of global major arms exports during 2021–2025. This is an increase from the level of 36 percent in 2016–2020. The US has supplied weapons to 99 countries, and for the first time its largest regional market is not the Middle East but Europe. This shows that Washington still holds the main power in the global arms trade today.
France is in second place. France accounts for 9.8 percent of global arms exports, and its exports have increased by 21 percent compared to 2016–2020. India, Egypt and Greece are the main buyers of French weapons, SIPRI says. Although French arms exports have grown strongly, especially within Europe, the majority of its exports still go to markets outside Europe.
Russia, which was once considered the world’s second largest arms exporter, has now suffered a severe setback. According to SIPRI, Russian arms exports have fallen by 64 percent compared to 2016–2020, and its global share has fallen from 21 percent to 6.8 percent. Analysts point out that this situation is related to Russia’s war in Ukraine, production restrictions, and the shift of consumer countries to other suppliers. But Russia remains an important supplier to countries such as India, China and Belarus.
In these new 5 years, Germany has surpassed China to become the world’s fourth largest arms exporter. Germany’s global share is 5.7 percent, and a significant part of its exports has gone to Ukraine and other European countries. According to SIPRI, the United States, France, Russia, Germany and China are in the top five as the main arms exporters for the period 2021–2025. Accordingly, it is clear that the global arms trade is still an area regulated by Western countries and a few powerful states.
Another important aspect of the arms trade is “who buys?”. The world’s largest arms importer for the period 2021–2025 was Ukraine. It received 9.7 percent of global arms imports. India is in second place. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait then take the top spots. Europe has now become the world’s largest arms importing region, driven by security concerns about Russia and the rearmament of NATO countries.
Asia is also still a very important region in this market. In 2021–2025, the Asia-Oceania region accounted for about 31 percent of global arms imports. India is the world’s second largest importer, and still receives 40 percent of its imports from Russia. However, SIPRI notes that India is gradually turning to Western suppliers. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s arms imports have increased by 66 percent, and 80 percent of its imports come from China.
No matter where in the world a war breaks out, America ultimately wins.
