Surge in Global Arms Sales Amid Successive Wars in Ukraine and the Middle East

Global Military Procurement Expected to Increase by 23% Next Year
Rising Demand Due to Changes in Combat Technology...Popularity of U.S. Products

Following the Ukraine war, the clashes between Israel and the Palestinian armed faction Hamas, and the increasing threat from China, U.S. defense industry companies have experienced a boom, the New York Times (NYT) reported on the 17th (local time).

[Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

According to military intelligence company Janes, the global military procurement scale, excluding the U.S., China, and Russia, is expected to reach a total of $241 billion (approximately 326 trillion KRW, adjusted for inflation) next year, representing a 23% increase compared to the previous year. NYT reported that this is the largest growth rate in the past two years.

Following the Ukraine war that began in February last year, Israel and Hamas have engaged in war this month, increasing the demand for weapons. Additionally, in Asia, Taiwan and Indonesia, stimulated by China's military buildup, are also moving to secure weapons.

NYT conveyed the atmosphere, stating, "Globally, there is a growing movement to purchase fighter jets, missiles, tanks, artillery, and military supplies," and "As combat technology rapidly evolves, even already armed countries are in a situation where they must purchase next-generation equipment to maintain competitiveness."

Among weapons markets, American-made weapons are undoubtedly the most popular. Sales of U.S.-made weapons have shown an increasing trend in recent years.

Last year, global defense spending on weapons, personnel, and other military expenses reached $2.2 trillion (adjusted for inflation), the highest level since the end of the Cold War, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

Of this, last year’s exports of U.S.-made weapons amounted to $205.6 billion, accounting for 45% of global arms exports. The proportion of U.S.-made weapon exports relative to total defense spending increased by about 15 percentage points from 30% ten years ago, marking the highest level since the collapse of the former Soviet Union in 1991.

The reason U.S.-made weapons are so popular is due to the expansion of arms procurement by allied countries, as well as attracting new customers such as India and Indonesia, which had previously purchased weapons from Russia or China. Middle Eastern countries like Israel and Saudi Arabia, existing customers of U.S.-made weapons, have also continued to purchase arms.

Poland, which shares a border with Ukraine, has set a bold goal to increase its defense spending to more than 4% of its gross domestic product (GDP) in response to the Russian threat, accelerating its arms procurement. Accordingly, since early this year, Poland has received approval from the U.S. to import $41.7 billion worth of U.S.-made weapons, scooping up arms.

The U.S. defense industry has found itself in a difficult situation, unable to meet demand as orders expand from Ukraine and Poland to Middle Eastern countries such as Israel. With global demand for weapons increasing, defense companies in South Korea and T?rkiye, as well as the U.S., are also increasing exports, NYT reported.

However, concerns have been raised that as countries competitively purchase weapons, the likelihood of using military force in future international conflicts may increase. Michael Klare, director of the Arms Control Association (ACA), said, "These arms sales risk exacerbating regional conflicts and could ultimately trigger wars between major powers."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.