France has overtaken Russia to claim the second spot among the world's largest arms exporters, according to a study conducted by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). The report also reveals that the United States has solidified its global dominance in arms sales, delivering weapons to more countries than ever before.

The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has resulted in a surge in arms purchasing in Europe, with US manufacturers being the primary beneficiaries, states the SIPRI study. From 2019 to 2023, global trade in weapons saw a 3.3% decline compared to the 2014-2018 figures. However, European countries witnessed a doubling of arms imports during this period.

The United States emerged as the dominant supplier, accounting for 55% of arms sales to European countries, reflecting a 20-percentage point increase from the previous period. Overall, the US increased its weapons exports by 17%, delivering arms to a staggering 107 countries, the highest number observed by SIPRI or any other exporting nation.

"With increased arms exports to numerous countries, the USA is strengthening its global role as an arms supplier, which significantly impacts its foreign policy," said Mathew George, director of the SIPRI Arms Transfers Programme. He added, "This comes at a time when the USA's economic and geopolitical dominance is being challenged by emerging powers."

The study highlights Ukraine as the European country with the most significant increase in weapons imports, experiencing a substantial rise of 6,600% from 2019 to 2023. Due to its conflict with Russia, Ukraine transformed from a minimal importer and a site of domestic production to the world's fourth-largest weapons buyer, following India, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. The United States, Germany, and Poland emerged as the top three suppliers to Ukraine.

The top five arms exporters globally, as per the SIPRI report, were the United States, France, Russia, China, and Germany. Russia witnessed a decline of 53% in its exports, while France's sales surged by 47%. However, Russia still maintains significant trade relationships with India and China in the oil and gas sectors.

The study also reveals that pressure from the US and European states has compelled some countries to reconsider their arms purchases from Russia. Egypt, which initially planned to buy Russian combat aircraft, was pressured by the US and subsequently turned to France for advanced combat aircraft.

France's rise as a major arms exporter aligns with its pursuit of "strategic sovereignty," allowing the country to apply military force autonomously, without dependency on other nations for weapons. The success of France's weapons industry in the past decade can be attributed to the popularity of products like the Rafale fighter aircraft, submarines, and frigates.

Germany's position as the world's fifth-largest arms exporter remained unchanged, with the Middle East being its primary customer region. Although Germany experienced a 14% decline in arms exports from 2014 to 2023, the year 2023 alone proved to be fruitful for the German arms industry. Factors contributing to this success include military aid to Ukraine and deliveries of submarines to Singapore, as well as frigates and corvettes to both Israel and Egypt.

In contrast to their European counterparts, African countries witnessed a decline in foreign arms purchases, with a 50% decrease from 2019 to 2023 compared to the previous five years. Algeria saw a reduction of 77% in its imports, while Morocco's purchases decreased by 46%. Notably, Russia emerged as the leading arms supplier to African countries, followed by the United States and China.

The SIPRI study sheds light on the shifting dynamics of the global arms trade, with France surpassing Russia in arms exports and the United States reinforcing its dominance. The ongoing conflicts and geopolitical tensions continue to shape arms purchasing patterns, with Europe witnessing a significant increase in imports and African countries experiencing a decline in arms acquisitions.