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 Russian arms exports decline infographic
Graphic shows the share of global arms exports for the 2018-22 period and a comparison in change of exports by the top 10 arms exporters between the 2013-17 period and the last 5 years.
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MILITARY

War in Ukraine hurts Russia’s arms industry

By Jordi Bou

March 13, 2023 - Moscow’s share of global arms exports declined sharply in the most recent five-year period, with sales limited by Western sanctions and the need to reserve arms output for its own war efforts.

Russia’s arms exports dropped 31% in the five years that ended in 2022, compared with the five years ended in 2017, according to data released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Russia’s share of global arms exports dropped to 16% from 22%.

The decline has widened Russia’s gap with the U.S. – which dominates global arms exports at 40% – and narrowed Moscow’s gap with the world's third-biggest arms exporter France, whose market share increased from 7.1% to 11%.

A steep increase in sales and future orders of arms to countries in Asia, Oceania and the Middle East over the last five years suggests French suppliers could surpass their Russian rivals within a decade.

European countries have increased major arms imports by 47% as tensions with Russia have risen since its invasion of Ukraine.

The institute uses multiyear periods because annual figures can be distorted by large deliveries; it bases its figures on a points system that calculates the military value of arms exports.

Sources
PUBLISHED: 13/03/2023; STORY: Graphic News; PICTURES: Getty Images
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