Top 15 largest Arms exporters and their main recipients
- Portugal Business News - Valerie Charoux
- 3 days ago
- 6 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Defence Investment News – Here are the Top 15 largest Arms exporting countries globally and their main recipients, as well as what countries export the main types of major arms, according to the study by SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute) published on March 10th, 2026:
1 – What countries are the main arms exporters?
The five largest arms exporters are the USA, France, Russia, Germany and China, that accounted for 70% of all arms exports during the period 2021–25, according to SIPRI.
2 - What countries are the main arms importers?
The largest importers of major arms are:
1 - Ukraine, with 9.7% of global arms imports
2 - India, with 8.2% of global arms imports
3 - Saudi Arabia, with 6.4% of global arms imports
4 – Qatar, with 6.8% of global arms imports
5 – Pakistan, with 4.2% of global arms imports
6 – Japan, with 3.9% of global arms imports
7 – Poland, with 3.6% of global arms imports
3 – Here are the Top 15 largest Arms exporting countries globally and their main recipients:
1 – United States
The US ranks No. 1 largest arms exporter globally with a 42% share of global arms exports in 2025. This represents a 27% growth in arms exports compared to 2020.
The main recipients of arms exports from the United States are:
1 - Saudi Arabia with 12% of total exports
2 – Ukraine with 9.4% of total exports
3 – Japan with 8.9% of total exports
2 – France
France ranks 2nd largest arms exporter globally with a 9.8% share of global arms exports in 2025. This represents a 21% growth in arms exports compared to 2020.
The main recipients of arms exports from France are:
1 - India with 24% of total exports
2 – Egypt with 11% of total exports
3 – Greece with 10% of total exports
3 – Russia
Russia ranks 3rd largest arms exporter globally with a 6.8% share of global arms exports in 2025. This represents a decline of -64% in arms exports compared to 2020.
The main recipients of arms exports from Russia are:
1 - India with 48% of total exports
2 – China with 13% of total exports
3 – Belarus with 13% of total exports
4 – Germany
Germany ranks 4th largest arms exporter globally with a 5.7% share of global arms exports in 2025. This represents a 15% growth in arms exports compared to 2020.
The main recipients of arms exports from Germany are:
1 - Ukraine with 24% of total exports
2 – Egypt with 14% of total exports
3 – Israel with 10% of total exports
5 – China
China ranks 5th largest arms exporter globally with a 5.6% share of global arms exports in 2025. This represents an 11% growth in exports compared to 2020.
The main recipients of arms exports from China are:
1 - Pakistan with 61% of total exports
2 – Serbia with 6.8% of total exports
3 – Thailand with 4.7% of total exports
6 – Italy
Italy ranks 6th largest arms exporter globally with a 5.1% share of global arms exports in 2025. This represents a 157% growth in arms exports compared to 2020.
The main recipients of arms exports from Italy are:
1 - Qatar with 26% of total exports
2 – Kuwait with 17% of total exports
3 – Indonesia with 12% of total exports
7 – Israel
Israel ranks 7th largest arms exporter globally with a 4.4% share of global arms exports in 2025. This represents a 56% growth in arms exports compared to 2020.
The main recipients of arms exports from Israel are:
1 - India with 29% of total exports
2 – Germany with 21% of total exports
3 – USA with 7.8% of total exports
Moreover, during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel in February 2026, Israel and India signed defense deals worth around USD 10 billion for air defense systems and drones.
Irael arms exports to Germany in 2026 are mainly the Arrow missile defense system, that is the largest arms sale in Israel’s history.
8 – United Kingdom
The United Kingdom ranks 8th largest arms exporter globally with a 3.4% share of global arms exports in 2025. This represents a 13% growth in arms exports compared to 2020.
The main recipients of arms exports from the UK are:
1 - Qatar with 31% of total exports
2 – USA with 14% of total exports
3 – Ukraine with 13% of total exports
9 – South Korea
South Korea ranks 9th largest arms exporter globally with a 3% share of global arms exports in 2025. This represents a 24% growth in arms exports compared to 2020.
The main recipients of arms exports from South Korea are:
1 - Poland with 58% of total exports
2 – Philippines with 18% of total exports
3 – UAE with 9.5% of total exports
10 – Spain
Spain ranks 10th largest arms exporter globally with a 2.3% share of global arms exports in 2025. This represents a 6.7% growth in arms exports compared to 2020.
The main recipients of arms exports from Spain are:
1 – Saudi Arabia with 28% of total exports
2 – Türkiye with 16% of total exports
3 – Belgium with 12% of total exports
11 – Türkiye
Türkiye ranks 11th largest arms exporter globally with a 1.8% share of global arms exports in 2025. This represents a 122% growth in arms exports compared to 2020.
The main recipients of arms exports from Türkiye are:
1 - Pakistan with 16% of total exports
2 – UAE with 12% of total exports
3 – Ukraine with 8.4% of total exports
12 – Netherlands
The Netherlands ranks 12th largest arms exporter globally with a 1.2% share of global arms exports in 2025. This represents a decline of -34% in arms exports compared to 2020.
The main recipients of arms exports from the Netherlands are:
1 - Ukraine with 23% of total exports
2 – USA with 20% of total exports
3 – Pakistan with 16% of total exports
13 – Norway
Norway ranks 13th largest arms exporter globally with a 1% share of global arms exports in 2025. This represents a 349% growth in arms exports compared to 2020.
The main recipients of arms exports from Norway are:
1 - USA with 33% of total exports
2 – Ukraine with 22% of total exports
3 – Romania with 16% of total exports
14 – Poland
Poland ranks 14th largest arms exporter globally with a 1% share of global arms exports in 2025. This represents a 4,387% growth in arms exports compared to 2020.
The main recipients of arms exports from Poland are:
1 - Ukraine with 94% of total exports
2 – Estonia with 1.6% of total exports
3 – Pakistan with 12% of total exports
15 – Sweden
Sweden ranks 15th largest arms exporter globally with a 0.9% share of global arms exports in 2025. This represents a 58% growth in arms exports compared to 2020.
The main recipients of arms exports from Sweden are:
1 - Brazil with 24% of total exports
2 – Ukraine with 14% of total exports
3 – Pakistan with 12% of total exports
4 – What countries export the main types of major arms?
1 – Combat Aircraft
Combat aircraft, including anti-submarine warfare aircraft are mainly exported by the United States, France, China, South Korea, Italy, and Russia.
2 - Combat helicopters
Combat helicopters are mainly exported by the United States, China and Italy.
3 - Major warships
Major warships, including aircraft carriers, destroyers, frigates and submarines, are mainly exported by the United Kingdom, Germany and France.
4 – Surface-to-air missiles (SAM)
Surface-to-air missiles (SAM) that are land-based, are mainly exported by Israel, Germany and the United States.
5 - Tanks and fire-support vehicles
Tanks and fire-support vehicles are mainly exported by South Korea, China and Germany.
6 - Other armored vehicles
Other armored vehicles are mainly exported by South Korea, Italy and the United States.
7 – Artillery
Artillery is mainly exported by South Korea, the United States and France.
