According to a new report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), published on March 9, 2026, Ukraine topped the global ranking of major arms importers for the period 2021–2025.
Ukraine accounted for 9.7% of all international major arms transfers over these five years—the highest share of any country in the world. By comparison, in the previous five-year period (2016–2020), Ukraine’s share was only 0.1%.
The sharp increase in imports is primarily due to the full-scale war against Russia that began in 2022. Supplies to Ukraine were the main factor behind the 9.2% increase in global arms transfers compared to 2016–2020—the most significant jump since 2011–2015.
Europe more than tripled its arms imports (+210%), becoming the largest recipient region (33% of the global total, up from 12%). However, Ukraine was the main driver of this trend. Other major European recipients include Poland and the United Kingdom.
Major arms suppliers to Ukraine (2021–2025):
The United States—almost half of all deliveries to Europe, a significant portion of which went specifically to Kyiv;
Germany (approximately 24% of German exports went to Ukraine in the form of aid);
Other NATO countries and partners.
Thus, the war in Ukraine not only radically altered the structure of the Ukrainian army but also fundamentally restructured the global arms market, making Europe (and especially Ukraine) the main consumer of Western weapons in recent years.