Global arms trade is rising, driven largely by Russia’s war in Ukraine and growing tensions with China, according to a think tank.
A report released on Monday by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute said global arms transfers rose 9.2 per cent over the past five years compared to the previous period.
Ukraine became the world’s top arms importer after Russia’s invasion four years ago, jumping to 9.7 per cent of global purchases, from 0.1 per cent.
Across Europe, arms imports more than tripled, with about half of those weapons coming from the U.S.
In Asia, India ranked second worldwide at 8.2 per cent in arms imports, fuelled by border tensions with China and Pakistan.
China is also a major exporter, sending more than half of its weapons to Pakistan while planning to increase its own military spending this year by about seven percent.
Japan boosted its arms imports by 76 per cent, with most of it coming from the U.S.
It has been ramping up military spending amid growing tensions with China after Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said last November that an attack on Taiwan by China could trigger military response.
Taiwan increased purchases by more than 50 per cent as it aims to deter Chinese aggression.
Meanwhile, a US$13 billion (S$16.5 billion) arms package for Taiwan may be delayed as Washington prepares for talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in April.
