European Arms Imports Surge as Israel Rises in Global Arms Exports

Arms imports by European countries have soared by 155% during the period from 2020-2024, compared to the previous five years, reflecting growing defense needs in response to heightened geopolitical tensions, particularly the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. At the same time, Israel has emerged as a major player in the global arms market, rising to the eighth position for arms exports, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) annual report.

Israel’s Rise in Arms Exports

Israel has significantly increased its arms exports, surpassing Spain to claim the eighth spot in the global rankings. In the previous report covering 2019-2023, Spain held a slightly higher share of the market at 2.7%, while Israel accounted for 2.4%. However, in the 2020-2024 period, Israel’s share of arms exports grew to 3.1%, pushing Spain to 3%. Leading exporters such as the United States (43%), France (9.6%), and Russia (7.8%) continue to dominate the global arms trade, but Israel’s surge signifies a growing presence in the defense sector, particularly in Europe and Asia.

Top Arms Export Destinations for Israel

The largest recipients of Israeli arms during this period were India, the United States, and the Philippines. India remained Israel’s largest customer, importing 34% of its total arms exports, followed by the U.S. at 13%, and the Philippines at 8.1%. Israel also plays a significant role in supplying arms to countries like the UK (6.9%), Germany (13%), and Morocco (11%).

In Europe, the surge in arms imports can be attributed to the increased defense requirements following Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. European countries are ramping up military spending, with Ukraine at the forefront of this effort. However, Israel's role in supplying arms to major European players such as Germany and the UK further underscores the shifting dynamics of global arms trade.

In related news, the SIPRI report also showed that U.S. arms exports to Europe have surged by 233% between 2020-2024. For the first time in two decades, Europe now accounts for the largest share of U.S. arms exports. European NATO countries more than doubled their arms imports during this period, with the U.S. supplying the majority—64%—of these weapons, up from 52% in the previous five years.

On the other hand, Russian arms exports have plummeted due to sanctions, increased domestic demand for weapons, and growing international pressure not to purchase Russian arms. U.S. suppliers have increasingly become the preferred choice for European NATO countries, who are looking to strengthen their defense forces amidst the growing threat from Russia.

In a separate incident, a cargo ship collided with a U.S. military tanker carrying jet fuel off the coast of eastern England, triggering a fire and fuel spill into the North Sea. The collision, which occurred on Monday morning, involved the U.S.-flagged chemical tanker Stena Immaculate and the Portugal-flagged container ship Solong. The tanker, part of the U.S. government’s Tanker Security Program, sustained a ruptured fuel tank, causing a significant fire and explosions onboard.

Fortunately, all 37 crew members from both vessels were accounted for, with one person hospitalized. A large-scale rescue operation was launched by local lifeboats, coast guard aircraft, and commercial vessels. While all mariners are safe, concerns are rising about the potential environmental impact of the fuel spill, especially since the collision occurred near vital fishing grounds and seabird colonies.

Elsewhere, Canada is making significant strides in bolstering its naval capabilities with the announcement of several major contracts aimed at upgrading the country’s fleet. Last week, Canada confirmed plans to build two new Arctic icebreakers for the Canadian Coast Guard. Furthermore, Halifax-based Irving Shipbuilding has been awarded a contract to build a new fleet of warships for the Canadian Navy. The first three River-class destroyers are expected to cost around CAD $22.2 billion.

National Defense Minister Bill Blair emphasized the importance of these investments in strengthening Canada's naval forces, ensuring they are well-equipped to contribute to both national and international peace and security efforts.

Meanwhile, Germany’s defense industry is looking to pivot its manufacturing capabilities in response to growing defense demands and shifting geopolitical dynamics. The Federal Association of the German Security and Defense Industry (BDSV) has proposed that Germany’s ailing automobile sector could be repurposed to meet the increasing need for military equipment, particularly tanks, shells, and other defense gear. This suggestion comes as part of a broader push to align Germany’s industrial capabilities with the growing demands of European defense in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

With the European Union’s "ReArm Europe" initiative set to funnel over €800 billion ($868 billion) into defense spending across its 27 member states, Germany is being urged to capitalize on its established manufacturing infrastructure. Rheinmetall has already repurposed two of its factories, previously involved in auto parts production, to focus on producing military equipment.