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India: The Second-Largest Arms Importer After Ukraine

  • March 11, 2025
  • Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
  • Category: DPN Topics
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India: The Second-Largest Arms Importer After Ukraine

Sub : Sci

Sec: Defence

Why in News

  • The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) released a report on global arms transfers for the period 2020-24.India emerged as the second-largest arms importer, following Ukraine.

Key Findings from SIPRI Report:

  • Ukraine became the largest importer of major arms globally during 2020-24 due to its ongoing war with Russia, recording a nearly 100-fold increase compared to 2015-19.
  • Ukraine accounted for 8.8% of global arms imports during 2020-24.
  • India ranked second in global arms imports, although its overall arms procurement declined by 9.3% between 2015-19 and 2020-24.
  • India remained the largest arms export destination for both Russia and France, but the volume of imports from Russia has declined.
  • China dropped out of the top 10 global arms importers for the first time since 1990-94, reflecting its growing domestic defence industry.

India’s Major Arms Suppliers:

  • Russia remained the largest arms supplier to India, accounting for 36% of total imports, a sharp decline from 55% (2015-19) and 72% (2010-14).
  • France became India’s second-largest arms supplier, providing 28% of India’s total imports, making India the largest recipient of French arms exports.
  • Other key suppliers include the United States and Israel, although their shares were comparatively smaller.

Global Arms Trade Trends:

  • Pakistan’s arms imports grew by 61% between 2015-19 and 2020-24.
  • China dominated Pakistan’s arms supplies, contributing 81% of Pakistan’s imports in 2020-24, up from 74% (2015-19).
  • The United States strengthened its position as the largest arms exporter, increasing its global share to 43%.
  • Russia’s global arms exports declined by 64%, dropping to 7.8% of total exports.
  • France overtook Russia as the second-largest arms exporter, holding a 9.6% share of the global market.
  • European nations increased arms imports by 155% during 2020-24 due to regional rearmament.
  • The total volume of global arms transfers remained stable, comparable to levels in 2015-19 and 2010-14, but 18% higher than in 2005-09.
  • Italy increased its global arms export share to 4.8%, rising from 10th to 6th position among arms exporters.
  • France’s arms exports to European nations tripled (187%) during this period, primarily due to deliveries of combat aircraft to Greece and Croatia, and weapons supplies to Ukraine post-2022 invasion.

About SIPRI:

  • SIPRI is an independent international institute dedicated to research into conflict, armaments, arms control and disarmament.
  • Established in 1966, SIPRI provides data, analysis and recommendations, based on open sources, to policymakers, researchers, media and the interested public.
  • Based in Stockholm, SIPRI is regularly ranked among the most respected think tanks worldwide.
  • SIPRI was established on the basis of a decision by the Swedish Parliament and receives a substantial part of its funding in the form of an annual grant from the Swedish Government.
India: The Second-Largest Arms Importer After Ukraine Science and tech

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