Using the aid data provided the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, a German research institute, we evaluated the 15 nations that contributed the most military aid to Ukraine.
Our list will be considered between January 2022 and August 2023. Countries are listed in ascending order of military help pledged to Ukraine. We have also shed light on the financial and humanitarian offerings of Ukraine’s partners to aid in its defence against Russian military invasion.
During this period, the US government contributed €42.1 billion in military aid to Ukraine. In relative terms, this military aid promise amounts to around 0.2 per cent of US GDP.
Some European states, however, such as Norway (1.7 per cent of GDP), Latvia, and Estonia, are providing significantly more significant financial contributions to Ukraine than the size of their economies. According to this criterion, Ukraine’s smaller neighbours, such as Estonia (1.3 per cent of GDP) and Lithuania (1.4 per cent), have contributed more to the war effort. Poland’s military aid commitments totalled 0.7 per cent of its GDP.
According to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, a German research institute, the Biden administration and the US Congress have directed more than $75 billion in humanitarian, financial, and military assistance to Ukraine since the war began.
The Kiel Institute’s data counts military, financial, and humanitarian aid from governments to Ukraine, primarily the EU and Group of Seven (G7) countries. Military help comprises weaponry, equipment, and financial assistance to the Ukrainian military. Humanitarian aid includes medical care, food, and other necessities for civilians, while financial support takes the form of grants, loans, and guarantees.
The majority of the assistance for Ukraine has been military-related. Dozens of other countries, including the majority of NATO and European Union members, are also contributing substantial aid to Ukraine.
15 countries that gave Ukraine the most military aid
15. Military Aid from France to Ukraine: $0.53 billion
The French government has committed an estimated $1.87 billion in total aid to Ukraine, with approximately 30% earmarked for military assistance. France provided Ukraine with SCALP long-range guided missiles, Caesar self-propelled howitzers, AMX-10 wheeled light tanks, SAMP/T air defence systems, and more. During Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy’s May visit to Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron offered to provide Ukraine with more tanks and armoured battle vehicles.
14. Military Aid from Italy to Ukraine: $66 billion
In 2023, the Italian government will contribute 0.07% of its GDP to Ukraine in financial, military, and humanitarian help. Italy’s main military contribution to Ukraine has been air defence systems that have proven effective in repelling Russian missile attacks.
13. Military Aid from Slovakia to Ukraine: $0.67 billion
Despite being a small nation-state in terms of population, Slovakia is one of the largest military donors to Ukraine, contributing more than 0.6% of its GDP to the country. Slovakia gave Ukraine its entire fleet of Soviet-era MiG-29 planes and provided Zuzana-2 howitzers. However, Bratislava’s military aid to Ukraine was suspended in October after the pro-Russian opposition party won the election.
12. Military assistance from Lithuania to Ukraine: $0.79 billion
Between January 2022 and August 2023, Lithuania was the second largest aid supplier to Ukraine in terms of aid as a percentage of GDP (1.4%). In August of this year, the government promised additional military support for Ukraine for 41 million euros. Rifles, ammo, generators, and anti-drone support are all included in the package.
11. Military assistance from the Czech Republic to Ukraine: $1.18 billion
The Czech Republic is one of the countries that has pledged the most military aid to Ukraine, with $1.58 billion in humanitarian (25%) and military (75%) assistance. So far, the country has delivered 55 armoured vehicles, 38 tanks, 13 howitzers, and four aircraft to Ukraine as military aid.
10. Finland provides $1.22 billion in military aid to Ukraine.
Finland has aided Ukraine in various ways in its war with Russia. In addition to the $1.22 billion in military assistance, Kyiv has received $550 million in humanitarian aid.
9. Sweden provides $1.47 billion in military aid to Ukraine.
Sweden has delivered Ukraine with Archer howitzers, anti-tank weapons, and hundreds of CV-90 infantry fighting vehicles, bolstering the Ukrainian army’s fight against the Russians. So far, the government has committed 0.41% of its GDP in bilateral aid to Ukraine. Sweden is considering supplying its advanced Grippen fighter jets to Ukraine.
8. Military assistance from Canada to Ukraine: $1.66 billion
According to the Kiel Institute, the Canadian government has donated more than $6 billion in total aid to Ukraine, with 63% being financial support, 30% being military aid, and 7% being humanitarian relief. Air defence missiles, NASAMS (supplied by the United States), battle tanks, armoured vehicles, rocket launchers, aircraft bombs, and a variety of smaller ammunition have all been donated by Canada to Ukraine.
7. Military aid from the Netherlands to Ukraine: $2.48 billion
The Netherlands is one of the countries that has given Ukraine the most military aid, spending 0.4% of its GDP on bilateral aid. In August of this year, the Netherlands and Denmark confirmed the donation of 61 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. The Dutch government collaborates with Denmark and the United States to build a powerful Ukrainian air force.
6. Military Aid from Poland to Ukraine: $3 billion
Poland has been one of Ukraine’s top donors since the conflict began in February 2022. Poland has supplied Ukraine with its PT-91 Twardy tanks, powerful Krab self-propelled howitzers, and other weapons. Poland also welcomed millions of Ukrainian refugees from the first days of Russian full-scale war.
5. Denmark provides $3.5 billion in military aid to Ukraine.
Denmark has provided approximately $3.5 billion in aid to Kyiv, equal to 1% of its GDP. Allies have praised the country for making significantly more outstanding contributions in comparison to the size of its GDP. The Danish government announced a further $833 million package for Ukraine in September, including tanks, armoured battle vehicles, and anti-aircraft weaponry. Denmark also leads the training of Ukrainian pilots of F-16 jets.
4. Military Aid from Norway to Ukraine: $3.7 billion
Norway has made the biggest contribution to Ukraine in terms of GDP, spending more than $8 billion between January 2022 and August 2023, or 1.7% of its GDP. In February of this year, the country’s prime minister offered another $7.3 billion aid package for Ukraine. Norway has also given Ukraine $3.55 billion in financial aid and humanitarian assistance.
3. Military Aid from the United Kingdom to Ukraine: $6.58 billion
The United Kingdom is ranked third among countries that have contributed the most military aid to Ukraine. In addition to spending nearly $7 billion to enhance Ukraine’s defence, the government has pledged around $6.7 billion in financial and humanitarian aid to Kyiv. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also discussed acquiring F-16 fighter jets for Ukraine and training pilots to fly the jets, intending to strengthen the Ukrainian Air Force.
2. Germany provides $17.1 billion in military aid to Ukraine
Germany is Ukraine’s second-largest military aid provider. Several all-terrain armoured vehicles, infantry fighting vehicles, battle tanks, air defence systems, military engineering capabilities, artillery, and protective equipment were included in Berlin’s military assistance package for Kyiv.
German-made Leopard tanks, Gepard air defence systems, US-made Patriot anti-missile systems, drones and Panzerhaubitze 2000 howitzers have strengthened Ukraine’s Army. Germany has also helped Ukraine with logistics by supplying the country with hundreds of trucks for military usage. Germany allocated 0.5 per cent of its GDP to help Ukrainians.
1. US Military Aid to Ukraine: $42.1 billion
Since the Russian invasion in February 2022, the United States has provided more than $75 billion in financial, military, and humanitarian aid to Ukraine. In addition to the $42.1 billion in military help, the US has offered an estimated $24 billion in financial support to Kyiv.
Washington’s contribution in equipping and supporting Ukraine’s Army has been critical in pushing the Russians back and liberating Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories. The US military support for Ukraine has helped turn the tide in the war with Russia.
A key weapon used to repel Russian invasion has been the HIMARS missiles supplied by the US. These have allowed the Ukrainian military to strike Russia’s command posts and ammunition depots far behind the frontlines with precision.
How military aid provided by allies helped Ukraine
Much of the aid has gone toward supplying the Ukrainian Army with the weapons, equipment, training, and intelligence they need to defend against Russia, which has one of the world’s largest armies. According to many Western commentators, the military assistance offered by the US and other allies has been critical in Ukraine’s defence and counteroffensive against Russia.
Russia’s invasion, according to US and allied leaders, is a brutal and illegal war of aggression on NATO’s border that, if successful, would subjugate millions of Ukrainians, encourage Russian dictator Putin’s revanchist and imperialist goals, and invite similar aggression from other rival powers, particularly China.
NATO partners are especially concerned about being drawn directly into conflicts, which would significantly increase the risk of nuclear war. However, as the war has continued, many donor countries’ hesitation to provide Ukraine with advanced weaponry, such as combat tanks and modern fighter aircraft, has faded.
In the summer of 2023, the US agreed to allow its European partners to train Ukrainian pilots to fly US-made F-16s and gave a green light for supplying the fighter jets to Ukraine.