Pars Today- According to the report of an international research institute, as a result of the upsurge in arms imports by Ukraine in the war with Russia, the American arms exports have had %43 of the total share of these exports globally.
This report of Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) indicates a growth of the US dominance over the global arms industry thanks to the Ukrainian war. Pars Today, quoting from ISNA, reported that as a result of the war in Ukraine, Kiev has turned into the greatest arms importer in the world.
SIPRI announced that the exports of arms from the US during the period of 2020-2024 increased %20 in comparison with the preceding 5-year period, i.e. %43 of the total global figure.
According to the SIPRI estimates, the US’ share of the global arms exports was %35 during the past decade.
Mathew George, Director of the SIPRI Arms Transfer Programme, stated, “The United States stands in a unique position in terms of arms exports. The %43 share of the US from the global arms exports is four times that of France which is the second biggest arms exporter in the world.
American Lockheed Corporation: greatest defense contractor in world
The American Corporation Lockheed Martin is the greatest defense contractor in the world. This corporation had received an order worth more than $45 billion from the US Defense Department in 2022 which constituted nearly %70 of the total revenues of the corporation in the year. As the manufacturer of the fifth generation of F-35 fighter jets, the corporation will probably keep its status as the cornerstone of the US Air Force in future.
US Corporation Raytheon
RTX Corporation, which is known as Raytheon, had received an order worth more than $25 billion contract from the US Defense Department in 2022. This corporation is the second biggest company in the world in terms of defense revenues, despite the fact that this figure makes up only %59 of its total revenues. With the total revenues of $67 billion, this corporation plays a significant role in enabling the US to funnel key arms to Ukraine to push back Russia in the ongoing conflicts. Reports indicate that, for the first time during the past decade, the highest share of the US arms has been dispatched to Europe rather than Asia, although Saudi Arabia remains as the greatest importer of the American arms.
Russia, too, used to be one of the greatest arms exporters, but it has reduced this section of exports after the 2022 war with Ukraine.
Ukraine greatest global arms importer
SIPRI adds in its report that Ukraine has been the biggest arms importer in the world during 2020-2024, so that the volume of arms imports to the country has increased almost 100-fold in comparison with the preceding 5-year period (2015-2019). SIPRI makes it clear in continuation that the European countries have also increased their arms imports during the mentioned 5-year period in comparison with the previous one with the pretext of Russophobia and the American pressures to arms themselves again.
Meanwhile, Mathew George, Director of the SIPRI Arms Transfer Programme, said that, in spite of public requests to reduce dependence on arms imports and strengthening of arms industry in Europe, the leaders of these countries have decided to continue purchasing arms from the US.
RM/ME
