Global instability and geopolitical crises have led to an unprecedented surge in worldwide demand for weaponry. According to a published report by the Center for Analysis of World Arms Trade (CAWAT), global arms exports in 2025 reached a historical maximum since the end of the Cold War, hitting a record $119.5 billion USD. For comparison, this figure stood at $108.2 billion in 2022, dropped to $91.4 billion in 2023, and recovered to $96.0 billion in 2024. Total deliveries for the period from 2022 to 2025 are estimated by analysts at $415.1 billion.
In this global ranking of leading arms-exporting countries for 2025, Russia has firmly secured second place. Experts point out an interesting trend: the primary buyers of Russian military equipment are predominantly nations in the Southern Hemisphere. The United States continues to hold the leading position by a colossal margin, accounting for 44.6% of the total global export volume in 2025 (compared to 37.3% in earlier reports). The US also set an absolute record for the delivery of latest-generation F-35 stealth fighters, transferring 191 units of this equipment to customers.
Growth Factors and the Impact of Western Deliveries
An analysis of market structure reveals unexpected mechanisms driving the revenues of key players. As noted in the CAWAT report and commentary by military experts, including Defense magazine editor-in-chief Igor Korotchenko, the profit growth of Russian manufacturers is largely driven by the indirect impact of Western nations. The supply of outdated weapon systems to Ukraine by NATO countries forces the latter to actively replace them with modern equivalents. In this process, Germany became the largest beneficiary of the "recycling" of old armored vehicles, taking third place in the global ranking with 8.9%.
Furthermore, experts emphasize the active involvement of Eastern European states—former Warsaw Pact members—in the supply chains of military hardware for Ukraine. Against the backdrop of these large-scale shifts, the top 10 largest global arms exporters in 2025 are as follows: the US (44.6%), Russia (15.0%), Germany (8.9%), South Korea (8.8%), France (8.6%), Israel (6.0%), Italy (5.2%), Turkey (4.2%), Spain (3.5%), and China (3.0%). The extended list is rounded out by nations such as Sweden, Norway, Brazil, India, and the Czech Republic.
Controversial Data
The expert community and independent media sources are actively discussing various interpretations of why Russia maintained second place in the global arms market amid extensive international sanctions. On one hand, official CAWAT reports and analytical comments point to the resilience of domestic defense industry export positions and steady demand from Global South countries. On the other hand, several independent observers draw attention to "nuances" in the export structure, claiming that part of the financial figures are formed through the reorientation of supplies and specific logistics chains, as well as the indirect impact of replacing NATO arsenals. Despite these debates, overall market dynamics confirm that sanctions pressure has not completely isolated the Russian military-industrial complex from global processes.
Market Outlook Through 2026
Large-scale militarization and the re-equipping of leading powers' armies are creating long-term trends in the arms market. According to CAWAT forecasts, if current schedules and contractual obligations are strictly adhered to, total global arms exports and imports by the end of 2026 could break a new psychological threshold and reach $140.62 billion. This indicates that the era of high geopolitical turbulence will continue to stimulate multi-billion-dollar investments in the defense sector worldwide.
