According to information published by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) on Monday, Germany has become the fourth largest arms exporter in the world, surpassing China, which now ranks fifth in this rating.
The SIPRI Institute, founded in 1966 by a decision of the Swedish parliament and largely state-funded, noted that while the defense industry is strengthening, the rest of Germany's economy continues to face difficulties.
According to the report, the main factor contributing to this growth has been a sharp increase in demand for armaments in Europe, driven by the war in Ukraine. Approximately 24% of Germany's arms exports were directed to support Ukraine, while 17% went to other European countries, including NATO partners.
China's exports remain stable, despite a reported 11% increase over the past five years (2016-2021), according to SIPRI data. This indicates that China has become more self-sufficient in defense production and is now less dependent on imports, actively exporting to its spheres of influence, such as Pakistan.
Now that China has dropped to fifth place, it is also focused on meeting its own needs and building military capacity, as indicated by the latest report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) (source in German).
Despite the boom in the defense industry, with record orders and sales, the overall economy of Germany remains sluggish, with projected GDP growth in 2026 expected to be between 0.9-1.2%.
Arms imports in Europe have significantly increased
As shown by data from the Swedish institute, global arms supplies increased by 9.2% from 2016 to 2020 and are expected to continue to rise from 2021 to 2025, with European countries tripling their arms imports during this period.
Matthew George, director of SIPRI, noted: "Amid rising tensions and conflicts in Asia, Oceania, and the Middle East, the sharp increase in arms supplies to European states has contributed to nearly a 10% increase in global arms supplies."
From 2021 to 2025, according to SIPRI, 42% of all international arms supplies will come from the United States, which exported arms to 99 countries, significantly up from 36% during the period from 2016 to 2020. This confirms the ongoing dominance of the U.S. in arms exports.
Of the 99 countries receiving American weapons, 35 are located in Europe, 18 in the Americas, 17 in Africa, 17 in Asia and Oceania, and 12 in the Middle East.
Peter Wezeman, senior researcher at the SIPRI Arms Transfers program, commented: "The U.S. has further strengthened its position as the main arms supplier, despite the growing multipolarity in the world."
Source: euronews.com
