Key Market Indicators
**Portuguese Weapon Imports Projected to Rise Slightly by 2028** Portugal's weapon imports are forecasted to reach approximately $26 million by 2028, up from around $25.7 million in 2023. This marks a modest annual growth rate of 0.3%. Historically, Portuguese demand for weapons has seen a more robust increase, averaging 6.2% growth per year since 1965. In 2023, Portugal ranked 80th globally in weapon imports, with Switzerland surpassing it by a small margin. Leading the global rankings were Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait, holding the second, third, and fourth positions respectively. **Portuguese Weapon Exports Expected to Decline** Conversely, Portuguese weapon exports are projected to decline to roughly $16.6 million by 2028 from about $21.1 million in 2023. This forecasted drop represents an average annual decrease of 3.8%. Despite this, Portugal has experienced a significant growth in its weapon supply, increasing by 47.7% annually since 1972. These figures reflect the shifting dynamics in Portugal's defense trade, showing a slight increase in imports but a noticeable decrease in exports over the coming years.
