Ukraine emerges as world's top arms importer amid ongoing conflict

Ukraine is the world’s largest importer of weapons, according to newly released data on international arms transfers.

Driven by its protracted war with Russia, Ukraine accounted for 8.8% of total global arms imports between 2020 and 2024—surpassing traditional defence heavyweights such as India and Saudi Arabia.

Following Ukraine are India at 8.3%, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, each with 6.8%.

Ukraine’s unprecedented rise

Ukraine’s position as the top importer is primarily a consequence of its conflict with Russia, which escalated sharply following Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. The country’s defence sector has been strengthened by a massive influx of weapons from Western allies, especially the United States and European Union nations. These include advanced missile systems, drones, and air defense platforms essential for resisting Russian aggression.

South Asia and the Gulf: Persistent demand

India remains a major arms importer due to its strategic rivalry with China and Pakistan, coupled with a focus on upgrading outdated Soviet-era systems. While the nation has made strides toward domestic defense production, reliance on imports continues, particularly for high-end technology.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia and Qatar maintain high import levels to reinforce defense capabilities in a volatile Gulf region. Despite diplomatic tensions between the two nations in past years, both have sought to secure state-of-the-art weaponry, primarily from Western suppliers, to assert regional dominance and deter potential threats from Iran and other actors.