Israel among the world's top arms traders, SIPRI report finds

 

Israel is one of the world's largest arms importers and exporters, according to a report published by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). The data, covering the years 2020-2024, ranks Israel as the world's 15th-largest arms importer during this period, down one spot from 2015-2019. Israel accounts for 1.9% of global arms imports. The United States is Israel's largest arms supplier, accounting for 66% of its imports, followed by Germany with 33% and Italy with 1%. According to data published by the U.S. State Department in January, U.S. arms exports to Israel in 2024 included an $18.8 billion deal for F-15 aircraft.

In addition to its imports, Israel is also the world’s eighth-largest arms exporter, responsible for 3.1% of global arms sales during this period. Among the countries to which Israel exports weapons are the U.S., India, and Germany, where it supplies 13% of arms imports. Israel is also a major supplier to Morocco, the UK, and the Philippines, where it accounts for 27% of imports.

Globally, the U.S. remains the largest arms exporter, with its market share continuing to grow. From 2015-2019, it accounted for 35% of global arms exports, a figure that has risen to 43% for the period 2020-2024. The U.S. supplied arms to 107 countries during this time. However, for the first time in over 20 years, Europe has overtaken the Middle East as the largest recipient of U.S. arms exports, largely due to the war in Ukraine. Despite this shift, Saudi Arabia remains the single largest buyer of U.S. weapons.

"The U.S. is in a unique position when it comes to arms exports. At 43%, its market share is four times higher than that of the second-largest exporter, France," said Mathew George, one of the report’s authors.

In contrast, Russia’s arms exports declined sharply, falling by 64% during the period examined. This downward trend began even before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Russia is now the world’s third-largest arms exporter, behind the U.S. and France, followed by China, Germany, Italy, the UK, and Israel. Spain and South Korea round out the top ten.

On the import side, Ukraine became the world’s largest arms importer during the period under review, with its imports increasing nearly 100-fold compared to the previous period. This surge is directly linked to the war with Russia, which began in 2022. Since the invasion, approximately 35 countries have supplied weapons to Ukraine, and additional shipments are still in progress. As a result, Ukraine accounted for 8.8% of global arms imports between 2020 and 2024. The United States was Ukraine’s primary supplier, providing 45% of imported weapons—a trend that may shift in the next reporting period due to the hostile stance taken by U.S. President Donald Trump toward Ukraine.

Other key suppliers to Ukraine include Germany (12%) and Poland (11%). Ukraine is also the only European country among the world's top ten arms importers, though many other European nations have significantly increased their arms purchases. Arms imports by European NATO member states more than doubled during the period in question. The United States was the largest supplier, followed by France, South Korea, Germany, and Israel. These figures underscore the challenge facing European leaders as they seek to reduce their military dependence on the U.S. amid shifting American foreign policy. European nations remain major buyers of F-35 fighter jets and Patriot air defense systems.

Other major arms importers include India, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Japan, Australia, Egypt, the U.S., and Kuwait.

“Regional conflicts and geopolitical tensions continue to drive up demand for arms in the Middle East,” said Zain Hussain of SIPRI. “Given the scale of future arms deliveries, the Middle East will remain a key region for arms imports.”

Top 10 Arms Exporters in the World

10. South Korea

9. Spain

8. Israel

7. United Kingdom

6. Italy

5. Germany

4. China

3. Russia

2. France

1. USA

Top 10 Arms Importers in the World

10. Kuwait

9. USA

8. Egypt

7. Australia

6. Japan

5. Pakistan

4. Saudi Arabia

3. Qatar

2. India

1. Ukraine