Why this matters now
By the end of the five-year period 2021–2025, Ukraine became the world's largest importer of major arms for the third consecutive time, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). This result is not just a statistic: it reflects the scale of external support, dependence on it, and new challenges for defense planning.
What SIPRI's data say
"Ukraine was the largest recipient of major arms in Europe (and in the world), with a share of 9.7% of the total global import of weapons. Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, at least 36 states have supplied Ukraine with major arms."
— SIPRI, 2021–2025 report
Of the total deliveries, the three largest suppliers to Ukraine were United States (41%), Germany (14%) and Poland (9.4%). Together, the five largest importers — Ukraine, India, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Pakistan — received 35% of the world's arms imports during this period.
Why volumes fell in 2025
Deliveries to Ukraine in 2025 were substantially lower than in 2023–2024. SIPRI attributes this primarily to a reduction in US military aid — a critical source of many systems. At the same time, part of the support continued through transit and re-routing mechanisms.
For example, at least 25 states agreed to purchase systems from the US for subsequent transfer to Ukraine under the PURL mechanism. SIPRI counts these transfers as US arms exports, although the actual donors were often Norway, the Netherlands and Germany — underscoring how complex the supply chain has become.
Geopolitics of supplies: winners and losers
In the global export structure, the United States accounted for about 42% of all international deliveries in 2021–2025; the main recipient of American arms overall was Saudi Arabia. France ranked second among exporters (9.8%), and Germany overtook China to become the fourth-largest exporter (5.7%) — part of its deliveries were provided as aid to Ukraine.
Russia was the only one among the top ten suppliers whose exports declined — from 21% in 2016–2020 to 6.8% in 2021–2025 — which has long-term implications for its defense-industrial influence abroad.
Ukraine's defense-industrial complex and return to the market
Alongside imports, Ukraine's defense industry developed significantly over these years. According to the report and public sources, certain segments of the defense-industrial complex have outstripped the state's financial capacity, and by February 2026 Ukraine, in a limited mode, returned to the arms supplier market as an exporter. This is an important signal: the country not only receives assistance, but is also building capabilities that can be monetized and integrated into allied logistics.
Risks and reminders
Despite overall support, several critical risks remain: volatility in the policies of major donors, complex logistical chains of transfer (PURL), and issues of export control over certain systems, notably drones. Experts emphasize the need for a clear state policy on exports to minimize reputational and security risks.
Conclusion — what next
The status as the largest importer of arms confirms that Ukraine's defense remains a collective endeavor in which partners play a decisive role. But it is also a signal — a strategy is needed to transition from external dependency to systemic resilience, combining international assistance, development of the defense-industrial complex, and transparent control mechanisms. The question now is for the suppliers: will they turn current support into a long-term, predictable system for supplying the front?
