The US dominate global arms exports

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It is interesting how the United States has further cemented its position atop the global arms trade. America now accounts for a staggering 43 percent of all international weapons deliveries from 2020-2024 – up from 35 percent in the previous five years. France trails far behind in second place with just 9.6 percent, while Russia has tumbled to third, plummeting from 21 percent to a mere 7.8 percent.

In my view, this dramatic shift reveals important changes in global purchasing patterns. Traditional Russian clients like China and India are increasingly building their own weapons, while Moscow's military campaigns and the bite of international sanctions have severely constrained its export capabilities. Meanwhile, the US has impressively expanded its client base to 107 nations – a move I can't help but see as strategically timed.

I'm particularly struck by the context here. With America currently applying enormous pressure on European allies to boost defence spending and rearm, you have to wonder about the underlying motivations. Is this purely about collective security, or might there be some benefit to the American arms industry? From where I stand, it certainly appears the US stands to be a major beneficiary as Europe rebuilds its military capabilities.