Why in the News?

India remained the second-largest arms importer, despite a 9.3% decline in imports between 2015-19 and 2020-24 a/c to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) Report.

India’s Arms Imports: Trends and Shifts

• India remained the world’s second-largest arms importer, despite a 9.3% decline in imports from 2015-19 to 2020-24.
• Russia accounted for 36% of India’s arms imports in 2020-24, significantly LOWER than 55% in 2015-19 and 72% in 2010-14.
• India has reduced dependence on Russia and increased arms deals with France, the U.S., and Israel.
• India became France’s largest arms importer (28%), with 36 Rafale fighter jets and six Scorpene submarines already contracted.
• India is finalizing agreements for 26 Rafale-M jets and three additional Scorpene submarines.

Global Arms Trade Highlights

• Ukraine – The Largest Importer: Due to the ongoing war, Ukraine’s arms imports surged nearly 100 times in 2020-24 compared to 2015-19.
  • The U.S. accounted for 45% of Ukraine’s imports, followed by Germany (12%) and Poland (11%).
• U.S. dominance in exports: The U.S. expanded its global arms market share to 43%, reinforcing its position as the top exporter.
• Russia’s decline: Russian arms exports fell by 64%, dropping to 7.8% of global exports, behind France (9.6%).
• European rearmament: European arms imports surged by 155% in response to rising security threats from Russia.
• Pakistan’s growing imports: Pakistan’s arms imports grew by 61%, with China supplying 81% of its weapons, up from 74% in 2015-19.
• China’s self-reliance: For the first time since 1990-94, China dropped out of the top 10 arms importers, reflecting its expanding domestic defense industry.
• Italy’s rise in arms exports: Italy climbed from 10th to 6th place, with a 4.8% share of global arms exports.

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