Russia’s arms exports have dropped by 47% since 2022, marking a dramatic shift in the country’s global defense industry footprint.
This data comes from a new report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), published in March 2025.
The report states that the decline is linked to a combination of factors: Russia’s focus on supplying its own military, ongoing multilateral sanctions, and diplomatic efforts by the U.S. and its allies to steer countries away from buying Russian-made weapons.
“The decrease since 2022 is likely mostly related to Russia’s decision to prioritize the production of major arms for its own armed forces over those for export,” SIPRI stated.
The report also notes that trade sanctions and diplomatic pressure have further restricted Russia’s ability to export.
A Steep Drop with Global Impact
Russia's arms exports have been on a steady decline even before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. According to SIPRI, between the five-year periods 2015–2019 and 2020–2024, Russian arms exports fell by 64%.
By the end of 2024, Russia accounted for just 7.8% of global arms exports, down significantly from its peak. In contrast, the United States remains the dominant global arms exporter, making up 43% of global sales, while France has moved into second place with a 9.6% share.
Although its export volumes have dropped sharply, Russia still ranks among the top three arms exporters in the world, SIPRI confirmed.
The war in Ukraine has forced Russia to divert military production capacity toward its own armed forces, placing international contracts on the back burner. This shift has been further complicated by supply chain issues, technology shortages, and the exodus of foreign defense customers.
Even before 2022, Russian arms exports were trending downward. In 2020 and 2021, export volumes were between 22% and 73% lower than in any year from 2000 to 2019, according to SIPRI data.
The decline reflects a broader reshaping of the global arms market, as more countries diversify their suppliers or ramp up domestic production to avoid dependence on states under international sanctions.
In a sign of efforts to bypass restrictions, Russia and Iran signed a memorandum on March 10 to jointly develop and manufacture microelectronics. The aim is to build sustainable production and supply chains, as both countries face Western sanctions that limit access to advanced technologies and components.
