SIPRI Report

India is the world’s second-largest arms importer (2020-24), after Ukraine, as per Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) report..

Key Findings:

• Ukraine: Largest importer due to war (100-fold rise in imports).
• India: 2nd largest importer, despite a 9.3% decline (vs. 2015-19).
• China: Dropped out of the top 10 importers for the first time since 1990-94.
• Pakistan: Imports up 61%, with 81% from China.

Europe: Imports surged 155% due to geopolitical tensions.

India’s Defense Imports:

• Russia: Still top supplier, but share fell to 36% (from 55% in 2015-19).
• France: Major supplier, with 28% of its exports to India.

Key deals:

• 36 Rafale jets, 6 Scorpene submarines
• Upcoming: 26 Rafale-M jets, 3 more submarines

Global Arms Export Trends:

• USA: Dominates with 43% global share.
• Russia: Exports down 64%, now at 7.8% (behind France’s 9.6%).
• Italy: 6th largest exporter (4.8% share).
• 35 nations supplied arms to Ukraine since 2022.

About SIPRI:

• Established: 1966, Stockholm, Sweden.
• Focus: Research on arms trade, conflict, security.
• Significance: Analyzes military trends & global defense policies.