In accordance with the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute’s (SIPRI) annual report titled “Trends in international arms transfers, 2019”, India is the world’s second largest arms importer during 2015-19 with its global share of 9.2% after Saudi Arabia, who has topped the ranking with global share of 12%. On the other hand, India ranked 23rd in terms of world’s largest arms exporters with global share of 0.2% and its main clients being Myanmar (46%), Sri Lanka (25%), and Mauritius (14%). United States (US) topped the list in this section with a share of 36%.
- On the global front, the volume of international transfers of major arms in 2015–19 has increased by 5% as compared to 2010–14.
- Largest Suppliers of arms to India: Russia is largest supplier of arms to India; however, share of weapons purchased has declined from 72% to 56% during 2015-19, which accounted 25% of total Russian arms exports. Contrarily, Israel and France’s share increased, by 175% and 715% respectively, which have become second and third largest suppliers to India during 2015-19.
- It should be noted that India’s arms import declined by 32% since 2015 due to “Make in India” initiative.
Following table showing the top 5 in different sections along with their global share during 2015-16:
| Rank | Exporters (Share of arms exports) | Importers (Share of arms imports) | Importers-Region Wise (Share of arms imports) |
| 1 | United States (36%) | Saudi Arabia (12%) | Asia and Oceania (41%) |
| 2 | Russia (21%) | India (9.2%) | Middle East (35%) |
| 3 | France (7.9%) | Egypt (5.8%) | Europe (11%) |
| 4 | Germany (5.8%) | Australia (4.9%) | Africa (7.2%) |
| 5 | China (5.5%) | China (4.3%) | Americas (5.7%) |
| 23 | India (0.2%) | ||
Key Points from Report:
i.SIPRI has identified 68 states as exporters of major arms in 2015–19 and 160 states as importers of major arms.
ii.The 5 largest arms importers together accounted for 36% of all arms imports. Saudi Arabia, India and China were also among the top five importers during 2010–14.
iii.The five largest arms exporters together accounted for 76% of all arms exports in 2015–19. The top five in 2015–19 were the same as in 2010–14, but their combined total exports of major arms were 9.5% higher.
iv.The military hardware acquired by India from other countries includes Apache, Chinook helicopters, and P8I maritime aircraft from US; S400 anti-air system, T90 Tanks & helicopters from Russia; Scanter-6000 radars from Denmark, Embraer ERJ-145 jets for a home-grown airborne early warning and control system, ACTAS (ATLAS ELEKTRONIK Active Towed Array Sonar) systems from Germany; Super Rapid 76mm naval guns from Italy; and K-9 Thunder 155mm artillery guns from South Korea.
About SIPRI:
Establishment-1966
Headquarter– Stockholm, Sweden
Chair– Ambassador Jan Eliasson
Director– Dan Smith
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