Europe led the world in the growth of arms imports over the past five years and will likely continue to do so as countries build up weapons stocks in the face of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, according to a study published by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
The study, released on March 14, showed a 4.6 percent drop in total global international arms transfers in the period from 2017 to 2021 compared with the previous five-year period, while imports by Europe jumped 19 percent.
"The severe deterioration in relations between most European states and Russia was an important driver of growth in European arms imports, especially for states that cannot meet all their requirements through their national arms industries," said Pieter Wezeman, a senior researcher with SIPRI's arms transfers programs.
Russia launched its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine on February 24 after months of building up tens of thousands of troops along the border. The moves have already prompted European countries such as Germany, Denmark, and Sweden to announce plans to hike military spending.
Other countries, especially those on NATO's eastern flank, are expected to follow suit as the security alliance beefs up its forces amid the war. Ukraine borders several NATO countries.
SIPRI said that the United States was the world's largest arms exporter, with a 39 percent share of the market, more than double second-placed Russia, which had a 19 percent share.
Arms exports by the United States in 2017-21, compared with the previous five-year period, were also more than double those of Russia, with the Middle East accounting for 43 percent of all U.S. arms transfers.
Analysts expect Russian exports of arms will fall further in the coming years as a result of crippling sanctions imposed on it over the war.