Global Arms Trade Shift: France and US Surpass Russia in Weapon Exports
France has surpassed Russia as the world's second-largest arms exporter, with 11 percent of the global arms market, while the U.S. remains in the top spot with 42 percent. Russia's share of global arms exports has fallen to around 11 percent, just below France, due to factors including sanctions related to its actions in Ukraine. France's rise is attributed to major deals for Dassault Aviation's Rafale fighter jet with countries like Qatar, Egypt, and India, with India now importing more arms from France than from Russia. The global volume of international arms transfers fell by 3.3 percent, but arms imports in Europe increased by 94 percent, with most European countries boosting defense spending.