Society is tired of asking the question: “When will the wars tearing the world apart finally end?”. The answer may lie in the following information. Arms sales continue to soar, demonstrating significant changes in the regional structure of the global market. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), in 2023 the revenues of the top 100 companies reached $632 billion, which is 4.2% higher than in 2022. This trend underscores the increasing demand for arms due to regional conflicts and global geopolitical challenges.
USA and European countries: stable but uneven growth
American arms manufacturers continue to dominate the market. In 2023, 41 U.S. companies earned $317 billion, a 2.5% increase compared to the previous year. However, even among leading manufacturers like Lockheed Martin and RTX, there were revenue declines due to supply chain challenges, especially in the aerospace sector.
European companies showed the lowest growth among all regions — just 0.2%. This is explained by the fulfillment of old contracts and slower rates of modernizing weapon systems. At the same time, countries in Eastern Europe, such as Poland, Ukraine, and the Czech Republic, significantly increased arms production in response to the demand generated by the war in Ukraine. Special emphasis was placed on artillery, ammunition, air defense systems, and ground-based weapons.
Middle East: regional rise
Among all regions, the countries of the Middle East showed the highest growth. Six companies from this region increased their revenues by 18%, reaching $19.6 billion. Israeli manufacturers, in particular, stood out, reaching a record revenue level of $13.6 billion. The growth is attributed to exports as well as escalating conflict in Gaza. Turkish companies also demonstrated strong performance, increasing revenue by 24% to $6 billion, largely driven by exports to countries involved in the war in Ukraine.
Russia: Aggressive Modernization
Despite sanctions and restrictions, Russian companies also showed significant growth. Two companies in the top 100 increased their revenues by 40%, reaching $25.5 billion. The main contribution came from the “Rostec” holding, which increased profits by 49%. SIPRI experts note that the Russian industry has focused on the production of combat aircraft, tanks, drones, and missiles, as well as the modernization of the old arsenal, which has become crucial for further military operations in Ukraine.
Asia and Oceania: Demand Growth
The Asia and Oceania region also recorded an increase in arms sales revenue by 5.7%, reaching $136 billion. These figures confirm the region’s growing role in the global arms market. India and South Korea are actively investing in their own production and importing new weapons systems to meet their defense needs.
Implications for the Global Market
The increase in arms sales revenue reflects a shift in geopolitical dynamics, where regional conflicts drive demand for arms. Technological modernization becomes particularly significant, posing a key challenge to traditional players such as the USA and Europe. At the same time, the countries of the Middle East and Asia strengthen their positions, demonstrating high growth rates.
These trends indicate the need for global coordination and enhanced control over arms exports to prevent the escalation of conflicts worldwide.
