There is a huge change happening in the world of defense procurement. The international arms trade is busier than it has been in decades because of rising regional conflicts, the need to modernize old military infrastructure, and a general sense of geopolitical anxiety. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) released new information in 2025 and 2026 that shows that military hardware is moving to certain hotspots in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. To understand the current balance of power in the world, you need to know who is buying and why.
In 2026, the five biggest arms importers make up a large part of all global transfers. Some countries have been on this list for decades, while others have moved to the top because of immediate threats to their existence. This blog looks at the strategic reasons behind the purchases of the five biggest arms importers in the world: Ukraine, India, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan.
1. Ukraine: The Rise of a Country at War
Ukraine is now the world’s biggest importer of major weapons for the first time in modern history. The ongoing war with Russia has made it necessary for Ukraine to rely almost completely on foreign military aid and procurement, which is why this change is happening. From 2015 to 2019 and then again from 2020 to 2024, Ukraine’s arms imports went up by an unbelievable 9,627 percent. By 2026, this trend has not slowed down. The country is still using advanced Western technology in its offensive and defensive strategies.
Ukraine gets its weapons in a different way than the other countries on this list. Instead of standard multi-year commercial contracts, it gets them through a mix of direct purchases and military aid packages. The US, Germany, and Poland are still its main suppliers. Ukraine has become one of the most technologically advanced militaries in Europe because of the large amount of high-tech equipment it has received, such as F-16 fighter jets, Patriot missile defense systems, and advanced loitering munitions. This quick rearmament is a clear example of how active conflict can completely change the flow of trade around the world.
2. India: Finding a balance between modernization and strategic independence
India is still a major player in the arms market, and it is currently the second-largest importer in the world. India buys about 8.3% of all the arms that are imported around the world. Its procurement strategy is based on two main factors: its long-standing rivalry with Pakistan and the growing security threats that China poses along the Line of Actual Control. India’s approach is changing, though, because the government wants “Atmanirbhar Bharat,” or self-reliance in defense.
Even though there is a push for more production in India, the country still imports important high-tech platforms that its own industry can’t yet make in large quantities. In the past, Russia was India’s biggest supplier, but in the last few years, Russian imports have dropped sharply, from 55 percent to 36 percent. India is buying more advanced fighter jets (like the Rafale) and naval assets from the West, especially France and the United States, as of 2026. This diversification is a smart way to modernize all three branches of the military at the same time and not rely on any one country too much.
3. Qatar: A Regional Power That Is Growing Quickly
Qatar has made a historic leap to the third place in the world. It is the smallest country in the top five, which shows how aggressive and valuable its procurement strategy is. In the last five years, Qatar’s arms imports have gone up by more than 120%. This is because the country wants to show strength and keep the Gulf region safe.
The Qatari military has basically been completely rebuilt. The country has spent a lot of money on “prestige” platforms, like huge orders for fighter jets from the US, UK, and France, as well as big expansions of its navy. The US is still its main supplier, sending almost half of all its imports. This huge spending spree isn’t just for defense; it’s also a way to make friends with other powerful countries by signing multi-billion dollar defense contracts.
4. Saudi Arabia: Staying on Top in a Changing World
Saudi Arabia used to be the country that bought the most weapons in the world, but now it is in fourth place. It still has a big presence in the global market, with 6.8 percent of global shares, even though its total imports have dropped by about 41 percent compared to previous years. The drop in volume is mostly because several big long-term contracts have come to an end, not because the military doesn’t want to do anything.
The Kingdom still depends a lot on the United States, which gives it about 74% of its major weapons. In 2026, Saudi Arabia’s main focus for buying things will be advanced air defense systems and precision-guided munitions. This is mostly to keep regional rivals and non-state actors from getting too powerful. Additionally, Saudi Arabia is trying to make its defense industry more local through “Vision 2030,” just like India is. However, for now, it is still an important customer for American and European aerospace and defense companies.
5. Pakistan: Building Stronger Ties with the East
Pakistan is in the top five, with a 4.6 percent share of all arms imports around the world. Its strategy for getting things is mostly based on India’s military buildup. Pakistan, on the other hand, has strengthened its “all-weather” partnership with China, while India is moving toward the West.
China is currently Pakistan’s biggest supplier of weapons, sending over 75% of its arms imports, such as JF-17 fighter jets, submarines, and surface-to-air missile systems. This relationship has helped Pakistan keep a credible deterrent even though its economy is in bad shape. In 2026, Pakistan will also start getting supplies from Türkiye, especially in the areas of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and naval corvettes. This shift toward “Eastern” and “Emerging” defense suppliers shows that there is a growing gap in the global arms market between procurement blocs that are aligned with the West and those that are aligned with the East.