While France has tripled its arms exports to Europe, largely through Rafale fighter jet sales, Russia's arms exports have plummeted by 64% during the same period due to sanctions and diminished demand.

NATO countries in Europe have significantly increased their arms imports over the past five years, with over 60% of these imports sourced from the United States, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

Despite a decline in overall exports, Russia remains the third-largest arms exporter, with India as a significant buyer, although India is diversifying its sources.

This surge in arms imports is largely a response to perceived threats from Russia, as European NATO members raised their imports by 105% from the period of 2015-2019 to 2020-2024.

During this heightened military activity, Ukraine has emerged as the largest arms importer globally.

For the first time in two decades, Europe has become the largest market for U.S. arms, accounting for 35% of U.S. exports from 2020 to 2024.

The United States has solidified its position as the leading global arms exporter, representing 43% of worldwide exports, far surpassing France, which holds 9.6%.

Countries such as Belgium, the Netherlands, and Denmark exhibit even greater dependence on U.S. arms, complicating any potential shifts in their procurement strategies.

European nations are increasingly reliant on U.S. weapons, with 64% of their arms sourced from the U.S., a notable increase from 52% in the previous five years.

Countries like Italy and the UK have invested in U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets and Patriot missile systems, which are sophisticated and difficult to replace.

The arms procurement process is lengthy and complex, making it challenging for European nations to quickly reduce their reliance on U.S. military supplies, as noted by SIPRI researchers.

China, which has acquired 17% of Russian arms exports, is also developing its own defense industry, further impacting Russia's arms market.