According to ‘Trends in International Arms Transfers, 2023’ released by Swedish think tank, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), India was the world’s top arms importer for the period 2019-23. India’s imports has increased by 4.7% compared to the period 2014-18.
- Saudi Arabia and Qatar were the 2nd and 3rd largest importers.
- United States (US), France, Russia were the top 3 largest exporters of arms between 2019-23.
India’s main suppliers:
i.Russia remains India’s top arms supplier at 36%, however, it’s the first time since 1960–64 that their deliveries comprised less than half of India’s imports.
ii.The 2nd and 3rd main suppliers of India are France (33%) and the United States of America(USA) (13%).
Top 5 importers & their main suppliers, 2019–23:
| Rank | Importer & Global share (%) | Main Suppliers & Share of importers’s total imports(%) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | ||
| 1 | India(9.8) | Russia(36) | France(33) | USA(13) |
| 2 | Saudi Arabia(8.4) | USA(75) | France(7.6) | Spain(7) |
| 3 | Qatar(7.6) | USA(45) | France(25) | Italy(15) |
| 4 | Ukraine(4.9) | USA(39) | Germany(14) | Poland(13) |
| 5 | Pakistan(4.3) | China(82) | Sweden(4) | Türkiye(3.8) |
Note:
i.The top 3 arms importers belongs to Asia and Oceania or the Middle East.
ii.Ukraine became the fourth biggest arms importer globally after it received transfers of major arms from over 30 states in 2022-23.
Top 5 exporters & their main recipients, 2019–23”
| Rank | Exporters & Global share (%) | Main Recipient & Share of exporter’s total exports(%) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | ||
| 1 | USA(42) | Saudi Arabia(15) | Japan(9.5) | Qatar(8.2) |
| 2 | France(11) | India(29) | Qatar(17) | Egypt(6.4) |
| 3 | Russia(11) | India(34) | China(21) | Egypt(7.5) |
| 4 | China(5.8) | Pakistan(61) | Bangladesh(11) | Thailand(6) |
| 5 | Germany(5.6) | Egypt(20) | Ukraine(12) | Israel(12) |
Points to note:
i.From 2014–18 to 2019–23, USA arms exports surged by 17%, contrasting with a drastic -53% decline in Russia’s exports.
- France rose as the world’s second-largest arms supplier, with a remarkable 47% increase in exports.
ii.The volume of international transfers of major arms in 2019–23 was 3.3% lower than in 2014–18 and 3.3% higher than in 2009–13.
Additional info:
i.The interim budget for FY25 allocated Rs 6.2 lakh crore to the Ministry of Defence, with Rs 1.72 lakh crore designated for new procurements, a 5.78% increase from FY24 Budget Estimates.
ii.At present, India has a defence production worth Rs 1 trillion at present, with defence exports of Rs 16,000 crore.
iii.India aims to double the defence exports to Rs 40000 in 2 years.
Recent Related News:
i.The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a contract with Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL)(Kochi, Kerala) for mid-life upgrade and re-powering of the advanced guided missile frigate Indian Naval Ship (INS) Beas (F37) at a cost of Rs 313.42 crore.
ii.MoD has signed a contract for the construction of one Training Ship for the Indian
Coast Guard (ICG) with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL), Mumbai(Maharashtra) at a cost of Rs 310 crore under the Buy Indian -Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured (IDDM) category in New Delhi, Delhi.
About Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI):
Director– Dan Smith
Establishment– 1966
Headquarters– Solna, Sweden
