Who bought and sold the most weapons in the world? Russia started the war, this country took advantage

According to a recent report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPR), arms sales in Europe have doubled due to the war in Ukraine. Due to involvement in Ukraine war, Russia has lost the second place after America in arms sales. For the first time in decades, Russia has lost its position in the arms trade.

Generally, the United States and Russia have traditionally been the countries with the highest sales in the world. America's share in the arms market is 42 percent. France increased its arms exports by 47 percent, overtaking Russia in second place. Russia sold arms to only 12 countries in 2023 compared to 31 countries in 2019.

SIPRI, a company that monitors the world's arms trade, believes that the world's arms imports have increased by 94 percent in the five years from 2019 to 2023. Ukraine has been the largest arms buyer in Europe for some time. Ukraine's share in total arms purchases in Ukraine is 23 percent. More than 30 countries have provided arms to Ukraine since Russia's invasion in 2022, with the US leading the way with 69 percent and Germany with 30 percent.

Between 2019 and 2023, America's arms trade with Europe was 55 percent, which is 19 percent more than in the last five years. According to Katarina Djokic, an expert associated with SIPRI, since most European countries are members of NATO, the US has been a partner in the development of weapons, including modern fighter jets like the F-35. Last year Ukraine was the world's largest arms buyer. However, Ukraine is in fourth place in five years. India, Saudi Arabia and Qatar are the world's largest arms buyers.