U.S. arms dominance: Europe and Ukraine's growing dependency
Ukraine and NATO countries in Europe largely depend on arms supplies from the U.S., as confirmed by a report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
Ukraine and European NATO countries are significantly dependent on American arms supplies. American imports account for 45 per cent of Ukraine’s supplies and 64 per cent for NATO countries in Europe, according to the SIPRI report.
Since 2020, Ukraine's main arms imports have increased nearly a hundredfold compared to 2015-2019. Most of this military production comes from military aid following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Thirty-five countries have provided Ukraine with various types of weapons, including combat vehicles and artillery with calibres greater than 100 mm.
Increase in arms imports to Ukraine. Half of Ukraine's resources come from the U.S
The United States is the main arms supplier to Ukraine, accounting for 45 per cent of deliveries. Germany (12 per cent) and Poland (11 per cent) follow. The U.S. has supplied systems such as the Patriot air defence systems.
Since 2020, European NATO countries have doubled their arms imports, with the United States being their largest supplier. The Americans account for 64 per cent of the arms supplies for allies in Europe. This trend is expected to continue in the future, as NATO countries have ordered nearly 500 fighter planes from the U.S.
Dr. Mathew George from SIPRI emphasizes that Europe, which is expressing a desire to break away from the American military industry, cannot afford to do so. George stated that breaking Europe’s deeply rooted cooperation with the U.S. would be too costly, even if there is currently European will for independence.
The United States is the largest arms exporter in the world, and its dominance has grown in recent years. The U.S. share in global arms exports has increased from 35 per cent a decade ago to 43 per cent now. During this time, Russia reduced its supplies by 64 per cent due to the war with Ukraine, and France has become the second-largest arms exporter.
China and India, who were the largest buyers of Russian arms, are changing their strategies. Beijing is investing in its own arms industry, and Delhi is buying weapons from the West.
