- The U.S. is still the world’s largest arms dealer, increasing its dominance year over year. However, that title may be in jeopardy if Europe decides to find another arms dealer.
- The United States exported 43% of global weapons from 2020 to 2024, up from 35% over the previous period in 2019, according to a new report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute or SIPRI.
- The U.S. accounted for 64% of imports to European and NATO nations from 2020 through 2024, up from 52% between 2015 and 2019.
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The United States is still the world’s largest arms dealer, increasing its dominance year over year, but that title might be in jeopardy if Europe decides to find another arms dealer.
What are the latest numbers?
The United States exported 43% of global weapons from 2020 to 2024, up from 35% over the previous period ending in 2019, according to a new report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute or SIPRI on Monday, March 10.
The report stated the U.S. accounted for 64% of imports to European NATO nations from 2020 through 2024. That’s up from 52% between 2015 and 2019, according to the report.
What’s spurring the growth?
The SIPRI data shows the American arms industry is benefitting from rising European defense spending, spurred on by Russia’s war against Ukraine.
European allies bulked up on U.S.-supplied Patriot Air Defense Missile Systems, HIMARS launchers and F-35s in recent years as a result of that war.
Why are there concerns?
However, many of those same allies are now wary of the U.S. after the Trump administration’s move to halt deliveries of U.S. weapons, spare parts and intelligence Kyiv. Many European leaders are questioning whether the U.S. could do the same to them.
Analysts and lawmakers said this may impact Europe’s desire for American weaponry.
What are European leaders saying?
France’s President Emmanuel Macron is calling on Europe to bolster its own defenses instead of relying on the United States.
France now reportedly ranks as the globe’s second-largest weapons exporter. Countries like Germany, the United Kingdom and Denmark are increasing military spending. South Korea is also a burgeoning arms exporter and many analysts Straight Arrow News Anchor Ryan Robertson spoke with tell him Europe could turn to Seoul to as a result.
Why will U.S. exports to Europe likely continue?
Despite the concerns, analysts said Europe will likely keep buying some weapons from the U.S. because no one else makes anything like them, like F-35s and Patriot or THAAD systems for land-based defense against ballistic missiles.
