European countries double arms imports in past 5 years

The data was released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) on Monday (March 11). Accordingly, European arms imports increased by 94% in the period 2019-2023 compared to the period 2014-2018. Ukraine was the world's fourth largest importer in the period 2019-2023, after receiving military aid from at least 30 countries since February 2022.

The US fires a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) during a joint live-fire exercise with Kuwaiti Land Forces. Photo: US Army

“With many high-value weapons on order, including nearly 800 combat aircraft and attack helicopters, European arms imports are likely to remain high,” said Pieter Wezeman, senior researcher at the SIPRI Arms Transfers Programme.

“Over the past two years, we have also seen a much greater need for air defense systems in Europe, driven by the Russia-Ukraine conflict,” Wezeman added.

The study also found that US arms exports increased by 17% between 2019 and 2023 compared to 2014 and 2018. "The US has increased its global role as an exporter of more arms to more countries than ever before, an important aspect of its foreign policy," SIPRI said.

Russia's arms exports in 2019-2023 fell by 53% compared to 2014-2018. "The low number of major arms shipments awaiting delivery from Russia suggests that Russia's arms exports are likely to remain well below the levels achieved in 2014-2018, at least in the short term," SIPRI said.

Russia's falling arms exports have helped France overtake Russia for the first time to become the world's second-largest arms exporter after the United States. "France is taking advantage of strong global demand to boost its arms industry through exports. France has been particularly successful in selling combat aircraft outside Europe," the SIPRI researcher said.

Ngoc Anh (according to SIPRI, Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/chau-au-nhap-khau-vu-khi-gap-doi-trong-5-nam-qua-post287492.html