The report analyses worldwide arms exports and imports. It underscores the critical significance of comprehending these trends to influence policy-making, stimulate public discourse, and research the impact of arms flows on peace, stability, and violent conflict. Moreover, it paints a multifaceted picture of the global arms trade. Despite a minor global decline, the regional dynamics are notably evolving. In particular, Europe is importing more, while some Asian and Middle Eastern countries continue to invest substantially in arms. Consequently, it highlights the necessity for transparency, accountability, and responsible arms trade practices to foster international peace and security.

Global Trends

• Marginal Decline: The overall volume of international arms transfers decreased by 3.3% compared to the previous five-year period (2014-2018).
• Top Exporters: The United States remained the world’s largest arms exporter, accounting for 39% of global arms exports in 2019-2023. However, US arms exports decreased slightly compared to the previous period.
• Shifting Dynamics: While the global volume of arms transfers declined slightly, there were significant regional variations:
  • Increase in European Imports: Imports of major arms by European states increased by 94% compared to 2014-2018. This rise is partly attributed to heightened tensions due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
  • Asia and Middle East Remain Major Importers: Nine of the top 10 biggest arms importers in 2019-2023 were in Asia, Oceania, or the Middle East. Ukraine became the fourth biggest arms importer globally after receiving transfers from over 30 states in 2022-2023.

Other Notable Points

• India, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar were the top three arms importers in 2019-2023, highlighting a trend of rising military spending in some Asian and Middle Eastern countries.
• US arms exports to Europe more than doubled compared to the previous five-year period, with Ukraine accounting for a significant portion of this increase.
• Concerns remain regarding the transfer of weapons to countries with poor human rights records or ongoing conflicts.

These trends display significant changes in arms exports and imports across major countries and regions, signaling shifts in geopolitical dynamics and military procurement strategies.

• The volume of international transfers of major arms in 2019-23 was 3.3% lower than in 2014-18 but 3.3% higher than in 2009-13.
• The USA and states in Western Europe accounted for 72% of all arms exports in 2019-23, compared to 62% in 2014-18.
• Arms imports by European states increased by 94% between 2014-18 and 2019-23, with 55% of European arms imports coming from the USA in 2019-23.
• India became the world’s biggest arms importer in 2019-23, with tensions with Pakistan and China driving its arms imports.
• Pakistan was the fifth-largest arms importer globally in 2019-23, with 82% of its arms imports coming from China.

Top Exporters of Major Arms

1. United States: Accounted for 42% of global arms exports, with a 17% increase in exports between 2014-18 and 2019-23.
2. France: Ranked second with 11% of global arms exports and a 47% growth in exports during the same period.
3. Russia: Despite a 53% decrease in arms exports, it remained one of the top exporters, with an 11% share of global exports.
4. China: Accounted for 5.8% of global arms exports, with a slight decrease of 5.3% in exports between 2014-18 and 2019-23.
5. Germany: Held a 5.6% share of global arms exports, with a 14% decrease in exports during the period.

Top Importers of Major Arms

1. India: Emerged as the world’s biggest arms importer in 2019-23, with a 9.8% share of all arms imports.
2. Saudi Arabia: Ranked as the second-largest arms importer globally during the period.
3. Qatar: Positioned as the third-largest arms importer, following Saudi Arabia.
4. Ukraine: Became the fourth biggest arms importer globally, receiving transfers of major arms from over 30 states in 2022-23.
5. Pakistan: Ranked as the fifth-largest arms importer globally, with a significant portion of its arms imports coming from China.

These countries played significant roles in the global arms trade during the period, both as exporters and importers, reflecting their military capabilities, security concerns, and defense procurement strategies.

Key regional trends

Outlines significant regional trends in international arms transfers. These trends reveal the diverse dynamics of arms transfers, importers, and exporters worldwide. They reflect each region’s unique geopolitical and security challenges during this period.

• Asia and Oceania:
  • States in Asia and Oceania accounted for the largest share of arms imports, with India being a significant importer.
  • China played a notable role as an arms exporter to countries in this region.
• Middle East:
  • The Middle East received a significant share of arms exports from countries like Germany and Italy.
  • Saudi Arabia and Qatar were among the top arms importers globally, indicating the region’s high demand for military equipment.
• Europe:
  • European arms imports increased substantially between 2014–18 and 2019–23, with a significant portion coming from the USA.
  • Ukraine emerged as the largest arms importer in Europe during the period.
• Americas:
  • States in the Americas accounted for a smaller share of arms imports than other regions.
  • The USA remained a key arms exporter globally, with a significant portion of its exports going to various countries in the Americas.
• Africa:
  • Imports of major arms by African states decreased during the period, with Russia, the USA, China, and France being the main suppliers to the region.
  • Algeria and Morocco experienced significant decreases in arms imports, impacting the overall trend in Africa.

Implications and Concerns

The document identifies several global trends and concerns, emphasizing the intricate relationship between defense procurement, security dynamics, economic interests, and ethics in international arms transfers. Furthermore, the document underscores the necessity of transparency, accountability, and cooperation in managing the global arms trade to uphold peace and stability.

Regional Security Dynamics

• The high volume of arms imports in Asia and the Middle East indicates ongoing security challenges and potential arms races, which could escalate tensions and conflicts.
• Increased arms transfers to certain regions may fuel regional rivalries and destabilize already volatile areas, leading to potential arms build-up and militarization.

Dependency on Arms Imports

• Countries like India, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, among the top arms importers, may face concerns regarding their dependency on external military equipment and technology sources.
• Reliance on arms imports can impact national security strategies, defense capabilities, and sovereignty, raising questions about long-term sustainability and self-sufficiency in defense production.

Shifts in Arms Suppliers

• The rise of France as the world’s second-largest arms exporter and changes in the shares of major suppliers like the USA and Russia suggest evolving dynamics in the global arms market, potentially altering geopolitical alliances and influence.
• Changes in arms suppliers could impact diplomatic relations, defense partnerships, and technology transfers, leading to strategic realignments and power shifts in the international arena.

Economic and Ethical Considerations

• Indeed, the significant economic implications of the global arms trade, which includes revenue generation for exporting countries and expenditure for importing nations, inevitably raise critical questions. These questions relate to resource allocation, the prioritization of defense spending, and economic sustainability.
• In light of this, ethical concerns related to arms transfers, such as human rights abuses, civilian casualties, and the impact of weapons proliferation on global peace and security, highlight the urgent need for responsible arms trade practices and strict adherence to international norms and agreements.