According to the SIPRI report, in the last five years the global arms trade has increased by nearly 10 percent compared to the previous five years, writes Deutsche Welle.
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The biggest change, however, is the growing role of Europe. In recent years, European countries have almost tripled their arms imports, making the region the largest arms buyer in the world.
Currently, Europe is responsible for approx 33 percent global importsovertaking Asia and Oceania and the Middle East.
SIPRI experts emphasize that such a sharp increase in purchases is directly related to the deteriorating security situation in Europe.
Poland at the forefront of NATO countries
Poland turned out to be the largest arms importer among European NATO countries.
According to SIPRI data, Poland is responsible for: 17 percent all arms imports in this group of countries. At the same time, this amounts to approx 3.6 percent global arms importswhich gives Poland seventh place in the world among the largest weapons buyers.
Following Poland in NATO were, among others, Great Britain and the Netherlandshowever, their share in world imports is clearly smaller.
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A jump of over several hundred percent. Poland is arming itself
The most spectacular thing is the growth rate of purchases.
In years 2021–2025, arms imports to Poland were as much as 852%. greater than in 2016–2020.
Such a sharp increase shows that Poland has significantly increased investments in the modernization of its armed forces in a very short time.
Experts indicate that this is a reaction to growing geopolitical tensions and security concerns in the Central and Eastern European region.
Where does Poland buy its weapons?
The report also shows where most of the weapons supplied to Poland come from.
In 2021–2025:
- 47 percent imports came from South Korea,
- 44 percent from the United States.
This means that the vast majority of purchases were made outside Europe.
The United States remains the largest arms exporter in the world, accounting for 42 percent. global supplies.
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Armaments in the shadow of geopolitical tensions
SIPRI experts emphasize that the increase in purchases in Europe is not solely due to the war in Ukraine.
Although arms supplies to Kiev were one of the important factors, many NATO countries began to simultaneously increase their own orders to strengthen their defense capabilities against the growing threat from Russia.
As a result, Europe – after years of relative reduction in military spending – has again become one of the most important markets for the arms industry, writes Deutsche Welle.
