Ukraine has recently gained a dubious distinction, becoming the world’s third-largest importer of arms. The country, which has been embroiled in a prolonged conflict with Russia-backed separatists in the east, has reportedly spent billions of dollars to bolster its military capabilities.
According to data released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Ukraine was the third largest arms importer in the world between 2015 and 2019, behind only Saudi Arabia and India. The country’s arms imports increased by a staggering 55% during this period, with the majority of the weapons coming from Russia, China, and Turkey.
The SIPRI report highlights the increasing militarization of the country as it struggles to contain the conflict in the east. The country’s military spending has risen sharply in recent years, reaching $5.2 billion in 2019, up from $1.8 billion in 2014. This increase in military spending has coincided with a surge in arms imports, with purchasing a wide range of military hardware, including fighter jets, tanks, and missile defence systems.
The majority of the country’s arms imports have come from Russia, despite the ongoing conflict between the two countries. The report suggests that Ukraine’s dependence on Russian arms since much of its existing military hardware was produced in the Soviet era and requires modernization.
In addition to Russia, China and Turkey have also emerged as key suppliers of arms to Ukraine. China has reportedly supplied Ukraine with drones, while Turkey has provided the country with combat drones, armoured vehicles, and missile defence systems.
The surge in arms imports has raised concerns among some analysts, who argue that it could lead to an escalation in the conflict in eastern Ukraine. There are fears that the increased military capabilities of the Ukrainian army could embolden the country to launch an offensive against the separatists in the east, leading to a wider conflict with Russia.
Others, however, argue that Ukraine has no choice but to import arms to defend itself against Russian aggression. They point out that Russia has been accused of supplying arms to the separatists in eastern Ukraine and that the country needs to match its military capabilities to deter further aggression.
The Ukrainian government has defended its arms imports, arguing that they are necessary to protect the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. President Volodymyr Zelensky has pledged to modernize the country’s armed forces and increase their capabilities to defend the country’s borders.
However, the SIPRI report suggests that Ukraine’s increasing dependence on arms imports could have long-term consequences for the country’s security. It argues that Ukraine needs to invest in developing its own arms industry in order to reduce its reliance on foreign suppliers and ensure that its military capabilities remain up to date.
The report also raises concerns about the impact of Ukraine’s arms imports on regional stability. The country’s military buildup could lead to a regional arms race, with neighbouring countries feeling compelled to increase their military capabilities in response.
In conclusion, Ukraine’s emergence as the world’s third-largest arms importer is a worrying development that highlights the increasing militarization of the country.
While the government argues that the arms imports are necessary to defend Ukraine’s sovereignty, there are concerns that they could lead to an escalation in the conflict in eastern Ukraine and a wider regional arms race. To ensure its long-term security, the country needs to invest in developing its own arms industry and reduce its reliance on foreign suppliers.
