Two-thirds of arms imports to Nato countries in Europe come from US

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Nearly two -thirds of the weapons imported by European members have been produced in NATO over the past five years by the United States, according to a new research that emphasized the deep dependence on the continent on US -made weapons.
Arms imports have multiplied by European countries more than twice between 2020 and 2024 compared to the previous five years, as the region responded to the full invasion of Russia Ukraine In 2022, according to the data of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). The United States provided 64 percent of these weapons, an increase of 52 percent between 2015-2019.
Matthew George, director of the SIPRI arms transmission program, said that the states have advanced forward for US arms purchase decisions despite public calls “to take steps to reduce their dependence on arms imports and enhance the arms industry in Europe.”
The figures confirm the challenge facing European leaders as they seek to reduce their military dependence on the United States, as President Donald Trump demanded that Europe become more responsible for its security.
Despite the continent NATO The allies have been looking to strengthen their national capabilities since the invasion of Russia three years ago, and Trump’s return to the White House added a new momentum.
Leaders of the 27 members of the European Union last week supported new defense financing initiatives proposed by Brussels, including a tool that would provide 150 billion euros from loans to capitals to spend on military capabilities.
European Commission President Ursula von der Lin said on Sunday that she wanted to use loans to reduce dependence on weapons that were purchased outside the mass. She said, “It is very important” that the injection was used to present “for research, development and good functions here in Europe.”
The fund has a value of 150 billion euros a new flash point in a long -term battle between France and Germany on a campaign to rearm the continent and whether it should include countries outside the bloc. The chairman of the committee believed that it is important to be “smart” and to maintain good links with Norway and the United Kingdom.
Industry executive officials have repeated calls that the region needed to reduce dependence on non -European suppliers in order to enhance its flexibility. There are increasing concerns that the United States can decide to block cash support for major weapons systems, such as the advanced F-35 fighter plane.
“The growing Russia and the Atlantic pressure during Trump’s first presidency, European NATO countries have taken steps to save their dependence on weapons imports and promote the European arms industry.”
But he also emphasized the “deep roots” of the arms relationship in Europe with Washington, noting how European capitals were “nearly 500 combat aircraft and many other weapons in the regime from the United States.”
Throughout the post -war period, European governments have spent expensive American weapons, and considers this as the price of Washington to be committed to the continent’s security.
“Europe must invest more in security to maintain the presence of Americans in Europe, and not to replace them,” WłtySław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Poland Minister of Defense, told reporters last month.
He added that this “insurance policy” will show the new administration that it had met the two conditions that often confirm Trump as supportive support for the United States – higher defense spending and “mutual economic relations of American business.”
SIPRI’s annual analysis of global weapons also confirmed how the United States has strengthened its position as the best weapons source in the world, which increased its share of exports from 35 percent to 43 percent during the five -year period.
Meanwhile, Ukraine became the world’s largest importer of the main weapons during this time frame, as imports rose nearly 100 times as the country sought to fight Russian forces.
For the first time in two decades, the largest share of the United States went to Europe instead of the Middle East, although Saudi Arabia was the best beneficiary of American weapons.
Serry said the United States has been the favorite supplier of long -term strikes like combat aircraft.
The data also showed that the 10 best weapons exporters in the past five years have been the same as those in the previous period, but Russia fell to the third place behind France with the sliding of exports. Italy jumped from tenth to sixth.
Russian arms exports decreased by 64 percent between 2015, 2019, 2020 and 2024, where the Ukrainian war accelerated the decline in Moscow’s ability to export weapons.
Wezman said that Russia needs to maintain more local production for use in the battlefield, as well as the challenge of sanctions and Western pressure on other countries not to buy from Moscow.
Two -thirds of Russian arms exports went to India, China and Kazakhstan, according to the research.
China’s weapons imports reduced by 64 percent between the two periods, as the country has increasingly replaced imports – especially from Russia – with locally designed weapons systems. Arms imports in China are likely to continue with the low capacity of the local arms industry, according to Siery.
Participated in additional reports for Henry Foy in Brussels
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2025-03-09 23:01:00