Russia Claims Second-Largest Arms Exporter Status Amid Export Decline

Russia claims to have been the world’s second-largest arms exporter in 2025, with sales valued at approximately $15 billion, accounting for 12.55 per cent of the global market, according to an estimate by the Centre for Analysis of World Arms Trade. This figure is based on President Vladimir Putin’s statement regarding foreign-currency revenue from sales to over 30 countries in 2025. However, the latest data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), published in March 2026, suggests a different trend.

SIPRI reported that Russia’s major arms exports fell 64 per cent between 2016–20 and 2021–25. This decline was largely attributed to substantial decreases in exports to Algeria, China, and Egypt. During the 2021–25 period, SIPRI ranked Russia as the third-largest supplier of major arms globally.