SIPRI report reveals record $679 billion in arms sales fueled by Ukraine and Gaza wars

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) has reported that the revenues of the world’s 100 largest arms manufacturers hit a record $679 billion last year.

According to a report released today, a surge in demand triggered by the wars in Ukraine and Gaza fueled this increase.

The report noted that the total revenues of the top 100 companies increased by 5.9% compared to the previous year. The total increase for the 2015–2024 period reached 26%.

SIPRI researcher Lorenzo Scarazzato told AFP, “As manufacturers benefit from high demand, global arms revenues have reached the highest level ever recorded by SIPRI.”

US leads as European demand increases

Thirty-nine of the world’s 100 largest arms manufacturers are located in the United States. The top three companies on the list—Lockheed Martin, RTX, and Northrop Grumman—are also US-based.

The total revenue of US manufacturers reached $334 billion, an increase of 3.8%, accounting for about half of the global total.

The report also highlighted budget overruns and delays in some key US programs, such as the F-35 fighter jet and the Columbia-class submarine.

The total revenue of 26 European-based companies rose by 13% to $151 billion. The sharpest increase was recorded by the Czech-based Czechoslovak Group, which increased its revenue by 193% to $3.6 billion.

The Czech Ammunition Initiative, aimed at providing artillery shells to Ukraine, played a role in the company’s growth.

Production faces supply chain issues

According to the report, despite increasing demand, many manufacturers are facing difficulties in their supply chains and production. It was noted that European companies are experiencing growing challenges in sourcing materials.

It was stated that companies like Airbus and the French Safran sourced half of their titanium needs from Russia before 2022 and had to find new suppliers.

China’s export restrictions on critical minerals led companies like Thales and Rheinmetall to warn that their costs could increase.

The total revenue of the two Russian companies on the list, Rostec and United Shipbuilding Corporation, increased by 23% to $31.2 billion.

It was emphasized that Russian companies, facing parts shortages due to sanctions, compensated for export losses with domestic demand.

The report also noted that the Russian defense industry is struggling to find the skilled labor needed to support the production rates required to sustain its war objectives.

Allegations in China drive down sales

Asia and Oceania was the only region where the total revenues of the 23 companies in the area fell. The total revenue of companies in the region decreased by 1.2% to $130 billion.

SIPRI explained that the main reason for this decline was the decrease in the revenues of Chinese arms manufacturers.

SIPRI program director Nan Tian said, “Numerous corruption allegations regarding arms procurement processes in China led to the postponement or cancellation of major arms contracts in 2024.”

In contrast, the revenues of Japanese and South Korean arms manufacturers increased, particularly with demand from Europe.

Interest in Israeli arms does not wane

Nine companies from the Middle East were included in the top 100 list, with their total revenue amounting to $31 billion.

More than half of this revenue was generated by three Israeli companies, which increased their total revenues by 16% to $16.2 billion.

SIPRI researcher Zubaida Karim stated, “The growing backlash against Israel’s actions in Gaza appears to have had very little impact on the interest in Israeli arms.”