Israel ranks among the world’s largest arms importers and exporters, according to a report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). The report, covering the period from 2020 to 2024, places Israel as the 15th-largest arms importer globally, a slight drop from its position in the previous five-year period (2015-2019).
Israel accounts for 1.9% of global arms imports, with the United States being its largest supplier, providing 66% of its imports. Germany follows with 33%, and Italy accounts for 1%. A report by the U.S. State Department in January highlighted an $18.8 billion deal for F-15 aircraft as part of U.S. arms exports to Israel in 2024.
Israel is also the eighth-largest arms exporter, responsible for 3.1% of global arms sales during the same period. The U.S., India and Germany are among the major countries receiving weapons from Israel, which supplies 13% of Germany’s arms imports. Additionally, Israel is a key supplier to Morocco, the UK and the Philippines, accounting for 27% of their arms imports.
The United States remains the largest arms exporter globally, with its market share growing from 35% in the 2015-2019 period to 43% from 2020 to 2024. The U.S. supplied arms to 107 countries during this period. Europe, for the first time in over two decades, surpassed the Middle East as the largest recipient of U.S. arms exports, largely due to the war in Ukraine. However, Saudi Arabia continues to be the largest single 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.
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Russia saw a sharp decline in arms exports, falling by 64% during the period analyzed. This decline began before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and 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 10 exporters.
Ukraine is the only European nation among the top 10 arms importers, though many other European countries have significantly increased their arms purchases
On the import side, Ukraine emerged as the world’s largest arms importer during the period, with its imports increasing nearly 100-fold compared to the previous period. This surge is linked directly to the ongoing war with Russia, which began in 2022. Since the invasion, approximately 35 countries have supplied weapons to Ukraine.
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 its imported weapons – a trend that may change in the next reporting period, depending on the stance of U.S. President Donald Trump toward Ukraine.
Germany (12%) and Poland (11%) are also key suppliers to Ukraine. Ukraine is the only European nation among the top 10 arms importers, though many other European countries have significantly increased their arms purchases. Arms imports by European NATO members more than doubled during the period. The U.S. was the largest supplier, followed by France, South Korea, Germany, and Israel.
These shifts highlight the challenges facing European leaders as they aim to reduce military dependence on the U.S. amid evolving American foreign policy. European nations continue to be 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. United States
Top 10 arms importers in the world:
10. Kuwait
9. United States
8. Egypt
7. Australia
6. Japan
5. Pakistan
4. Saudi Arabia
3. Qatar
2. India
1. Ukraine