American arms imports sustain Ukraine amid shifting alliances
Ukraine and European NATO countries rely heavily on arms supplies from the United States. American imports account for 45 percent and 64 percent of their supplies, respectively, according to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
According to the study published on Monday, since 2020, Ukraine's import of major weapons has increased nearly a hundredfold compared to the years 2015-2019. Most of the weapons imported by Kyiv have come from military assistance following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Since then, 35 countries have provided various types of weapons, including all types of combat vehicles and artillery with calibers greater than 10 centimetres.
The report emphasized that the United States accounts for 45 percent of the arms supplies to Ukraine and is the country with the largest contribution. Germany ranks second (12 percent), and Poland third (11 percent). The United States delivered Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine, among other things.
Ukraine is currently in a difficult situation following the announcement of a halt to military support by the US President, Donald Trump. According to SIPRI expert Dr. Mathew George it will be crucial how much support Europe can provide to the Ukrainian military.
Data collected by SIPRI shows that since 2020, European NATO countries have doubled their arms imports, and their largest purchasing market is the United States. Americans account for 64 percent of the weapon supplies for allies in Europe. This trend is expected to continue, with NATO members in Europe ordering nearly 500 combat aircraft from the USA.
According to George, severing deeply rooted cooperation between Europe and the USA would be too costly, even if there is currently a European desire for independence.
USA as the world's largest arms exporter
The study indicates that the USA is also the world's largest arms exporter, and this dominance has increased in recent years. Whereas a decade ago, the United States accounted for about 35 percent of global arms exports, this share has risen to 43 percent.
While the USA increased arms exports, Russia reduced its arms supplies to other countries by 64 percent since 2020. This reduction is related to its war against Ukraine. France has taken over the position of the world's second-largest arms exporter.
Previously, China and India were the largest buyers of Russian arms, but Beijing has started investing in its own arms industry, and Delhi is purchasing weapons from the West.
