This article explores the top 10 largest arms exporters in the world, including the US, France, Russia, China and Germany.
The global arms trade is a significant and controversial industry that has been in existence for centuries. The worldwide arms trade reached a minimum of $127 billion in value in the year 2021. Countries worldwide invest a considerable amount of resources and effort into producing and selling weapons, ammunition, and other military equipment to foreign governments and militaries. The arms industry is crucial to the economies of many countries. Some of the world’s largest arms manufacturers and exporters generate billions of dollars in revenue each year. In this article, we will explore the top ten largest arms exporters in the world.
Contents hide
1Key fact
2List of the 10 largest arms exporters in the world
2.1United States of America, the largest arms exporter in the world
2.2France, the 2nd biggest arms exporter
2.3Russia, the 3rd largest arms exporter
2.4China
2.5Germany
2.6Italy
2.7United Kingdom
2.8Spain
2.9Israel
2.10South Korea, the 10th-largest arms exporter
3Summary of 10 largest arms exporters in the world
4Sources
Key fact
In SIPRI’s March 2024 report, it’s revealed that out of 66 countries selling weapons from 2018 to 2022, most were small-scale sellers. From 2019 to 2023, the USA and Western European countries sold 72 out of every 100 weapons around the world compared to 62 out of every 100 during 2004-2018. The leading contributors – the United States, France, Russia, China, and Germany – were responsible for a significant 75% of the total volume of global arms exports during this period.
List of the 10 largest arms exporters in the world
The 10 largest arms exporters in the world are the United States, France, Russia, China, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Spain, Israel and South Korea.
![10 largest arms exporters in the world [2024] (1)](https://i0.wp.com/fairbd.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/BiggestArmsExporters2024.webp "10 largest arms exporters in the world [2024] (1)")
United States of America, the largest arms exporter in the world
The United States of America is the world’s largest arms exporter, accounting for 42% of global arms sales during 2019-23 (SIPRI Arms Transfer Database, March 2024). The country’s arms exports increased by 17% from 2014-18 to 2019- 2023. In 2023 alone, the US’s sales of military equipment to foreign governments surged by 16%, reaching an all-time high of $238 billion. Companies like Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Raytheon dominate the US defense industry.
The top 3 importers of US arms in 2019-23 were Saudia Arabia (15 %), Japan (9.5%), and Qatar (8.2%).
France, the 2nd biggest arms exporter
France is the second-largest arms exporter, accounting for 11% of global arms sales during 2019-23 (SIPRI Arms Transfer Database, March 2024). It narrowly overtook Russia to gain the second spot. Companies like Dassault Aviation, Airbus, and Thales dominate the country’s defense industry. France’s arms exports increased by 47% from 2014-18 to 2019-23.
The top three importers of Russian arms are India (29%), Qatar (17%), and Egypt (6.4%).
Russia, the 3rd largest arms exporter
Russia is the third-largest arms exporter, accounting for 11% of global arms sales during 2019-23 (SIPRI Arms Transfer Database, March 2024).
State-owned companies like Rosoboronexport, Almaz-Antey, and United Shipbuilding Corporation dominate the country’s defense industry. The top three importers of Russian arms are India (34%), China (21%), and Egypt (7.5%).
Russia’s arms exports decreased by 53% from 2014-18 to 2019-23. The main reason behind this sharp fall is the ongoing war with Ukraine.
China
China is the fourth-biggest arms exporting country, accounting for 5.8% of global arms sales during 2019-23 (SIPRI Arms Transfer Database, March 2024). State-owned companies like China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) and China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) dominate the country’s defense industry. China’s arms exports decreased by 5.3% from 2014-18 to 2019-23.
China also ranks 10th in the list of the 10 largest arms importers in the world.
Germany
Germany is the fifth-largest arms exporter, accounting for 5.6 % of global arms sales during 2019-23 (SIPRI Arms Transfer Database, March 2024). The country’s defense industry is dominated by companies like Rheinmetall, Airbus, and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann.
Germany’s arms exports decreased by 14 % from 2014-18 to 2019-23.
Italy
Italy is the sixth-largest arms exporter, accounting for 4.3 % of global arms sales during 2019-23 (SIPRI Arms Transfer Database, March 2024). The country’s defense industry is dominated by companies like Leonardo, Fincantieri, and Oto Melara. Italy’s arms exports increased by 86% from 2014-18 to 2019-23.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom is the seventh-largest arms exporting country, accounting for 3.7% of global arms sales during 2019-23 (SIPRI Arms Transfer Database, March 2024). The country’s defense industry is dominated by companies like BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, and MBDA. The UK’s arms exports decreased by 14 % from 2014-18 to 2019-23.
Spain
Spain is the eighth-largest arms exporter, accounting for 2.7% of global arms sales during 2019-23 (SIPRI Arms Transfer Database, March 2024). Companies like Navantia, Indra Sistemas, and Santa Barbara Sistemas dominate the country’s defense industry. Spain’s arms exports decreased by 3.3% from 2014-18 to 2019-23.
Israel
Israel is the ninth-largest arms exporter, accounting for 2.4 % of global arms sales during 2019-23 (SIPRI Arms Transfer Database, March 2024). Companies like Israel Aerospace Industries, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, and Elbit Systems dominate the country’s defense industry. Israel’s arms exports decreased by 25% from 2014-18 to 2019-23.
South Korea, the 10th-largest arms exporter
South Korea is the 10th-largest arms exporter, accounting for 2.0 % of global arms sales during 2019-23 (SIPRI Arms Transfer Database, March 2024). Companies like Korea Aerospace Industries, Hyundai Rotem, and Hanwha Defense dominate the country’s defense industry. South Korea’s arms exports increased by 12 % from 2014-18 to 2019-23.
Summary of 10 largest arms exporters in the world
The ten biggest arms exporters in 2024 are
1. United States (42%)
2. France (11%)
3. Russia (11%)
4. China (5.8%)
5. Germany (5.6%)
6. Italy
7. United Kingdom
8. Spain
9. Israel
10. South Korea
The arms trade is a massive industry. The largest arms exporters play a significant role in shaping global military and geopolitical trends. The United States remains the largest arms exporter in the world, with France and Russia following behind. China and Germany also continue to be major players in the arms export market. The top ten largest arms exporters account for a vast majority of the global arms trade. However, many other countries are involved in the industry, either as exporters or importers.
Sources
- SIPRI Fact Sheet, March 2024
- Transfer of Defense Articles: U.S. Sale and Export of U.S.-Made Arms to Foreign Entities, Congressional Research Service, March 23, 2023.
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