Global Arms Trade in 2025: SIPRI’s Snapshot
The latest SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute) report for 2025 provides a clear picture of how the global arms market is evolving amid rising security tensions and accelerating military spending. From 2015 to 2025, global defense expenditures have jumped by about 37%, reflecting a sustained push by many countries to bolster deterrence and capability. Against this backdrop, the international arms trade remains highly concentrated among a handful of suppliers, with the United States at the forefront.
Top 7 Weapon Exporters (2020–2024 Snapshot)
According to SIPRI’s 2025 findings, seven countries dominate global arms exports. Their combined share and individual contributions show how geopolitical alliances and strategic interests shape sales abroad:
- United States — 43%
- France — 9.6%
- Russia — 7.8%
- China — 5.9%
- Germany — 5.6%
- Italy — 4.8%
- United Kingdom (Britain) — 3.6%
These percentages reflect the proportion of global arms deliveries that go to foreign customers rather than domestic use, underscoring how a small group of exporters shapes security and defense capabilities worldwide.
<h2 Why the Leadership in Arms Exports Matters
The United States’ lead — accounting for roughly four in ten exported arms — signals both the breadth of its defense industry and its extensive international relationships. France, Russia, China, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom follow, each with distinctive strengths in platforms such as aircraft, missiles, naval systems, and broader defense technologies. The concentration of suppliers has implications for global security, export controls, and how allied nations align their own procurement strategies with foreign policies.
Drivers Behind Rising Exports
Several factors propel the top exporters to the forefront. Persistent regional conflicts, evolving threat perceptions, and the modernization of armed forces push countries to invest more in defense. SIPRI notes that in many regions, defense spending as a share of GDP rose in 2024, contributing to a steady demand for new equipment and upgrades. Moreover, supply chains, technology transfers, and long-standing defense partnerships help explain why certain countries dominate outward arms shipments.
<h2 Implications for Global Security and Markets
The dominance of a few suppliers can influence the price, delivery timelines, and technological standardization across recipient markets. While robust exports support domestic defense industries and jobs, they also call for stringent export controls and due diligence to prevent transfer to destabilizing end users. Policymakers, defense planners, and industry stakeholders must balance commercial interests with ethical responsibilities and regional stability.
<h2 Looking Ahead
As geopolitics continue to evolve, SIPRI’s 2025 data suggest the top seven exporters will maintain significant influence over the global arms trade. The trend underscores the importance of transparent reporting, responsible selling practices, and international cooperation to manage risks associated with arms proliferation while sustaining legitimate defense needs.
