Ukraine’s share in EU arms exports rises significantly, Eurostat data shows

Source: Defence Industry Europe, Reuters, Eurostat

Ukraine's share in European Union arms and ammunition exports increased to 34.2% in the second quarter of this year, up from 19.7% in the same period last year, according to data released by Eurostat on Friday. The country also saw a dramatic rise in its share of EU explosives exports, jumping from 1.7% to 16.5% over the same period.

 

Arms, ammunition, and explosives are the product groups with the highest increases in Ukraine’s share of EU exports since 2023. Other products, including coffee, tea, oilseeds, textiles, fuels, waste, and raw hides, also saw smaller increases. Fertiliser exports, however, remained an exception, showing no growth.

 

 

As Ukraine continues to call on its Western allies to boost ammunition supplies, the trend of increasing exports shows no signs of slowing. Major European defence firms, including Germany’s Rheinmetall, France’s Thales, Sweden’s Saab, the UK’s BAE Systems, Czechia’s CGS, and Italy’s Leonardo, are either increasing production or signing agreements with the Ukrainian military for future deliveries.

France’s Ministry of Defence announced in March that it was prepared to expedite the production of arms and shells required by Ukraine, using its powers to prioritise or requisition industrial capacity.

 

 

Earlier this month, reports suggested Germany might reject new military aid requests from Ukraine due to budget cuts, causing European defence stocks to dip. However, the German Federal Government denied these claims, allowing stocks to recover.

Overall, EU exports to Ukraine rose by 6.5% from the first quarter, reaching a peak in the second quarter of 2024, Eurostat reported.

 

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