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India accounts for 11 per cent share of whole world arms imports: Report

4 min read

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: India’s dependence on imported arms and tools continues because the nation tops arms importers. A report launched by Sweden-based Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) discovered that India was on high among the many 5 largest arms importers throughout  2018–22 and it was adopted by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Australia and China. 

“The top five arms importers—India, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Australia and China— received 36 per cent of total global arms imports in the period,” the report stated SIPRI, which is an impartial worldwide institute devoted to analysis into battle, armaments, arms management and disarmament, has recognized 167 states as importers of main arms in 2018–22.

Elaborating on the rationale behind the excessive import the report attributes India’s tensions with Pakistan and China as the explanations largely driving its demand for arms imports. “With 11 per cent share of total global arms imports, India was the world’s biggest importer of major arms in 2018–22, a position it has held for the period 1993–2022.” the report stated. 

“It retained this position even though its arms imports dropped by 11 per cent between 2013–17 and 2018–22,” the report added.

“The decrease can be attributed to several factors including India’s slow and complex arms procurement process, efforts to diversify its arms suppliers, and attempts to replace imports with major arms that are designed and produced domestically,” the report stated. Russia continues to be the biggest arms provider to India adopted by France and the US is within the third place.

However, the report says that the share of Russian arms provides to India is reducing, says the report. “Russia was the largest supplier of arms to India in both 2013–17 and 2018–22, but its share of total Indian arms imports fell from 64 per cent to 45 per cent.” Russia’s place as India’s important arms provider is beneath strain resulting from sturdy competitors from different provider states, elevated Indian arms manufacturing and since 2022, the above-mentioned constraints on Russia’s arms exports associated to its invasion of Ukraine, the SIPRI report stated.

Building up defence

 With 11 per cent share in whole world arms imports, India was the world’s largest importer of main arms in 2018–22
 Russia was the biggest provider of arms to India in each 2013–17 and 2018–22, however its share of whole Indian arms imports fell from 64 per cent to 45 per cent
 France accounted for 29 per cent of imports by India and the US 11 per cent
 The US, Russia, France, China and Germany are the 5 largest arms exporters
 India was the third largest arms provider to Myanmar after Russia and China accounting for 14 per cent of its imports

NEW DELHI: India’s dependence on imported arms and tools continues because the nation tops arms importers. A report launched by Sweden-based Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) discovered that India was on high among the many 5 largest arms importers throughout  2018–22 and it was adopted by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Australia and China. 

“The top five arms importers—India, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Australia and China— received 36 per cent of total global arms imports in the period,” the report stated SIPRI, which is an impartial worldwide institute devoted to analysis into battle, armaments, arms management and disarmament, has recognized 167 states as importers of main arms in 2018–22.

Elaborating on the rationale behind the excessive import the report attributes India’s tensions with Pakistan and China as the explanations largely driving its demand for arms imports. “With 11 per cent share of total global arms imports, India was the world’s biggest importer of major arms in 2018–22, a position it has held for the period 1993–2022.” the report stated. googletag.cmd.push(operate() googletag.show(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); );

“It retained this position even though its arms imports dropped by 11 per cent between 2013–17 and 2018–22,” the report added.

“The decrease can be attributed to several factors including India’s slow and complex arms procurement process, efforts to diversify its arms suppliers, and attempts to replace imports with major arms that are designed and produced domestically,” the report stated. Russia continues to be the biggest arms provider to India adopted by France and the US is within the third place.

However, the report says that the share of Russian arms provides to India is reducing, says the report. “Russia was the largest supplier of arms to India in both 2013–17 and 2018–22, but its share of total Indian arms imports fell from 64 per cent to 45 per cent.” Russia’s place as India’s important arms provider is beneath strain resulting from sturdy competitors from different provider states, elevated Indian arms manufacturing and since 2022, the above-mentioned constraints on Russia’s arms exports associated to its invasion of Ukraine, the SIPRI report stated.

Building up defence

 With 11 per cent share in whole world arms imports, India was the world’s largest importer of main arms in 2018–22
 Russia was the biggest provider of arms to India in each 2013–17 and 2018–22, however its share of whole Indian arms imports fell from 64 per cent to 45 per cent
 France accounted for 29 per cent of imports by India and the US 11 per cent
 The US, Russia, France, China and Germany are the 5 largest arms exporters
 India was the third largest arms provider to Myanmar after Russia and China accounting for 14 per cent of its imports