On March 11, 2024, research from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) indicated that russian arms exports fell by 53% between the periods 2014-2018 and 2019-2023, according to the UK Defense Intelligence.
As a result, russia dropped from second to third place in the global arms export rankings. Russian arms export volumes were 52% lower in 2023 than in 2022, while only 12 countries received major russian arms in 2023, compared to 31 in 2019.
Read more: The UK Defense Intelligence: russian Navy Chief Removal Signals a Shift in Leadership Strategy Amidst Ongoing Challenges in the Black Sea
The decline is likely due to several factors including russia prioritizing equipment for operations in Ukraine due to continuous battlefield losses, and reduced customer demand due to the risk of associated sanctions and global condemnation of russia’s responsibility for the war.
Read more: The UK Defense Intelligence Reports on russian Activity in Donetsk Region
