Nations ramp up weapons manufacturing amid Ukraine war, a look at the frontrunners

war in Ukraine has transformed into a global arena for various weapons manufacturers to test ir capabilities. Among m, top five largest arms producers are under scrutiny to assess ir effectiveness.

conflict in Ukraine has presented a significant opportunity for defence contractors on both sides of conflict. Notably, Russian enterprise KB Mashinostroyeniya, a part of High Precision Complexes Holding of Rostec State Corporation, has substantially increased production of its vanced 9K720 Iskanders (NATO reporting name SS-26 Stone), a mobile short-range ballistic missile system, by up to 2.5 times since 2022, reported Sputnik news.

On American side, producers of Javelins, HIMARS, and Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS) are working tirelessly to ramp up production as Ukraine rapidly depletes se weapons faster than US can manufacture m.

Similarly, European arms manufacturers are also striving to catch up with ir American and Russian counterparts. However, ir progress is hampered by continent's industrial base, which is still recovering from deces of underinvestment, as reported by Western media.

Which country is largest weapons manufacturer?

Numerous countries worldwide excel in weapons production, but global arms market is largely dominated by five key manufacturers:

1. United States
2. Russia
3. France
4. China
5. Germany

might of US weapons industry

According to Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), United States (US) stands at forefront of global arms manufacturers and exporters. Between 2018 and 2022, US held an impressive 40% market share in international arms exports, showing an increase from 33% in previous five years. Notably, US supplied weaponry to a staggering 103 countries, representing over half of all nations across world.

SIPRI data reveals that 41% of US arms exports during 2018-22 were directed to Middle East, marking a decline from 49% in 2013-17. Middle Eastern countries remain among top importers of US weapons, with Saudi Arabia leing at 19%, followed by Qatar at 6.7%, Kuwait at 4.8%, and United Arab Emirates (UAE) at 4.4%.

(US-supplied M777 howitzer shells lie on ground to fire at Russian positions in Ukraine's eastern Donbas region June 18, 2022 | Image: AP)

Asia and Oceania accounted for 32% of total US weapons exports, with Japan (8.6%), Australia (8.4%), and South Korea (6.5%) being region's primary importers. Meanwhile, Europe received 23% of US arms exports, with major recipients being Washington's NATO partners, including UK (4.6%), Nerlands (4.4%), and Norway (4.2%).

In recent times, re has been a substantial surge in US weapons supplies to Ukraine, furr influencing global arms market. top five US defence contractors benefitting significantly from nation's weapons exports are identified as follows:

• Lockheed Martin Corporation
• Rayon Technologies Corporation
• Boeing Company
• General Dynamics
• Northrop Grumman Corporation

se companies play a crucial role in meeting demand for US military equipment across world and contribute to country's dominant position in international arms tre.

or side of coin - Russia

Russia holds second position in global arms market, with a 16% share of total arms exports. Between 2018 and 2022, Russia supplied major arms to 47 different countries, demonstrating its significant presence in international arms tre.

majority of Russian arms exports, about 65%, were directed to Asia and Oceania. Among major regional importers, India and China were at top of list. Middle Eastern states received 17% of Russian arms exports, while Africa received 12%.

Notably, India remained Russia's largest customer during this period.

Russian warplanes and combat helicopters have been prominent export items since 1992, comprising 40% of country's arms exports from 2018 to 2022. This category includes vanced "4++" generation fighters like various modifications of Su-30, versatile front-line MiG-29 aircraft, military transport helicopters like Mi-17V-5/Mi-171Sh, transport/attack helicopters like Mi-35M, light multipurpose helicopters like Ka-226T, and heavy transport helicopters like Mi-26.

(Police officers look at collected fragments of Russian rockets, including cluster rounds, that hit Kharkiv, in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022 | Image: AP)

ditionally, Russia stands out as a leing supplier of capable and cost-effective lower-tech weapons. se include renowned products such as Kalashnikov assault rifles, towed artillery pieces like D-30, self-propelled howitzers such as 2S1 Gvozdika and 2S19 Msta, self-propelled multiple rocket launchers like BM-27 Uragan and BM-30 Smerch, and armored personnel carriers like BMP-3 and BTR-70.

five largest defence contractors in Russia, based on highest total sales, are as follows:

• United Aircraft Corporation (specialising in fixed-wing airplanes)
• United Shipbuilding Corporation (involved in submarines, corvettes, frigates, and aircraft carriers)
• Tactical Missiles Corporation (focusing on air- and naval-based missiles)
• United Engine Corporation (engaged in military aviation, rocket engines, and marine gas-turbine engines)
• Uralvagonzavod (manufacturing main battle tanks)

France's state of art weapons industry

France has established itself as a prominent weapons producer and has been competing with Russia as second-largest arms exporter worldwide, following United States. By end of 2022, France reportedly h more weapons on order for export than Russia, highlighting its increasing presence in global arms market.

(Military vehicles drive down Champs-Elysees avenue during Bastille Day pare Thursday, July 14, 2022 in Paris | Image: AP)

Between 2018 and 2022, France accounted for 11% of total global arms exports, marking a significant 44% increase compared to period between 2013 and 2017. majority of French arms exports, about 44%, were delivered to Asia and Oceania, while Middle East received 34%. During this period, France supplied weapons to 62 countries, with three largest recipients being India, Qatar, and Egypt, collectively receiving 55% of French weapons exports.

India emerged as France's largest military customer during this period, strengning ties between two nations.

surge in France's arms exports can be primarily attributed to sales of Dassault Rafale fighter jets manufactured by Dassault Aviation. se fighter jets were primarily supplied to India, Qatar, and Egypt between 2018 and 2022. Anor significant contributor to rise in French weapons sales was Naval Group, a major French industrial group specialising in naval defence design, development, and construction. Naval Group provided submarines to Brazil and India, frigates to Malaysia and UAE, and mine-sweepers to Belgium and Nerlands.

top defence contractors in France, instrumental in its arms production, include:

• Airbus SE
• Naval Group
• Thales
• Safran
• Dassault

China enables Pakistan

China holds fourth position in global arms market, accounting for 5.2% of total global arms exports during period of 2018-2022. majority of Chinese arms exports, around 80%, were directed to countries in Asia and Oceania. China supplied weapons to 46 states during this period, and a significant portion, 54%, of those exports went to Pakistan, which has been primary buyer of Chinese arms since 1991.

China and Pakistan have a close defence partnership and have jointly manufactured several Chinese-origin weapons systems, including Al-Khalid tank, JF-17 Thunder fighter jet, anti-tank missiles, portable surface-to-air missiles, and missile boats.

(Two Chinese SU-30 fighter jets take off from an unspecified location to fly a patrol over South China Sea | Image: AP)

In Souast Asia, China's weapons deliveries mainly involve six countries: Myanmar, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, and Thailand. China also sells weapons to African nations, with notable recipients being Central African Republic, Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Sudan. However, sales to Africa constitute only around 19% of Chinese exports. China's arms reach Latin America as well, with countries like Argentina, Bolivia, and Venezuela receiving eir Chinese arms or private security services.

China's arms exports have seen significant vancements in recent times. For instance, in April 2022, China began delivering FK-3 medium-range, ro-mobile, surface-to-air missiles to Serbia. In June 2022, Argentina expressed interest in acquiring China-me JF-17 fighter jets.

Moreover, China has emerged as world's largest exporter of drones, with popular models like Wing Loong and CH-4. Western observers suggest that China is positioned to dominate low-end of arms market in future.

top five defence corporations in China, playing a pivotal role in nation's arms production, include:

• China North Industries Group Corporation (Norinco) - specialising in tanks, long-range suppression weapons, and air-defence systems.
• Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) - involved in jet-fighters, trainers, military helicopters, and or airborne weapons.
• China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC) - focusing on defence electronics.
• China South Industries Group Corporation (CSGC) - engaged in light vehicles and firearms.
• China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation - involved in various aerospace and defence projects.

Germany: a top weapons producer amid a recession

Germany is a notable player in global arms market, with its top five weapons manufacturers being Rheinmetall AG, Krauss-Maffai Wegman (KMW), MBDA Deutschland GmbH, Leonardo S.p.A, and Thyssenkrupp AG.

Between 2018 and 2022, Germany accounted for approximately 4.2% of global total arms supplies, representing a 35% decrease compared to period from 2013 to 2017. majority of German arms exports were directed to states in Middle East (36%), Asia and Oceania (32%), and Europe (20%). Notably, Germany's major customers include Nerlands, United States, United Kingdom, as well as Qatar, Oman, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and UAE.

(Two Leopard 2 tanks are seen in action at Field Marshal Rommel Barracks in Augustdorf, Germany, Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023 | Image: AP)

Germany's key exports in arms market encompass infantry fighting vehicles like Puma and Lynx, self-propelled howitzers such as Panzerhaubitze 2000, tanks, with Leopard 2 being a prominent model, cruise missiles like Taurus long-range bunker-buster air-to-ground cruise missiles, and air-defence systems like IRIS-T, a medium-range infrared homing air-to-air/ground-to-air anti-missile system, among ors.

In domain of warplanes, German Air Force relies significantly on Eurofighter Typhoon, a multinational multirole fighter jet manufactured by a consortium of Airbus, BAE Systems, and Leonardo, operating under joint holding company, Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH.

While conflict in Ukraine has been vantageous for German defence contractors, nation also faces certain constraints, including challenges posed by de-industrialisation, an unfolding recession, and uncertainties surrounding future energy supplies. se factors can impact country's defence industry and its role in global arms market.