US supplies dominate European NATO and Ukraine weapon imports
Ukraine and NATO countries in Europe largely depend on arms supplies from the US, as confirmed by a report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
American imports constitute a significant portion of the arms supplies to Ukraine and European NATO countries. According to the SIPRI report, 45 percent of Ukraine’s arms supplies and 64 percent of those for NATO countries in Europe come from the US.
Since 2020, Ukraine's arms imports have increased nearly a hundredfold compared to 2015-2019. Much of this military support stems from aid following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. A total of 35 countries have supplied Ukraine with various types of weapons, including combat vehicles and artillery with calibers greater than 3.9 inches.
Increase in arms imports to Ukraine. Half of Ukraine's resources come from the USA
The United States is the primary arms supplier to Ukraine, accounting for 45 percent of deliveries. Germany (12 percent) and Poland (11 percent) follow. The US has provided systems such as the Patriot air defense systems.
Since 2020, European NATO countries have doubled their arms imports, with the United States being their largest supplier. The US accounts for 64 percent of the arms supplies for allies in Europe. This trend is expected to continue, as NATO countries have ordered nearly 500 fighter planes from the US.
Dr. Mathew George from SIPRI emphasizes that Europe, despite expressing a desire to become independent 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 increased in recent years. The US share in global arms exports has risen from 35 percent a decade ago to 43 percent now. Meanwhile, Russia has reduced its supplies by 64 percent due to the conflict with Ukraine, and France has emerged as the second-largest arms exporter.
China and India, historically the largest buyers of Russian arms, are changing their strategies. Beijing is investing in its own arms industry, and Delhi is purchasing weapons from the West.
