Ukraine has become the largest importer of major weapons systems in the world, accounting for 9.7% of global arms imports between 2021 and 2025, according to a new report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

The figure marks a dramatic surge compared with just 0.1% during 2016-2020, reflecting the massive military support Kyiv has received since the full-scale invasion by Russia in February 2022, The Caspian Post reports via Ukrainian media.

SIPRI reports that at least 36 countries have supplied major weapons to Ukraine since the start of the war. The top three suppliers were the United States, which accounted for 41% of Ukraine’s arms imports, followed by Germany with 14%, and Poland with 9.4%.

However, the report notes that arms deliveries to Ukraine in 2025 were significantly lower than in 2023 and 2024, largely due to a reduction in U.S. military assistance. Increased secrecy surrounding U.S. weapons exports to Ukraine has also made it more difficult to provide precise estimates.

In 2025, at least 25 countries agreed to purchase major weapons from the United States for transfer to Ukraine. These shipments-including air defense missiles and guided bombs-are recorded by SIPRI as U.S. arms exports.

Overall, SIPRI identified the five largest recipients of major arms imports between 2021 and 2025 as Ukraine, India, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Pakistan, highlighting the growing concentration of global arms flows in regions affected by geopolitical tensions.