According to a report published by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Russia remained India’s primary supplier of armaments.
India continues to be the world’s largest importer of weapons, with imports increasing by 4.7% between 2014–2018 and 2019–2023, according to a report released on Monday by the Swedish think tank SIPRI. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) assessment, Russia remained India’s primary supplier of armaments. The report also stated that, compared to 35% in 2014–18, the US supplied almost 55% of the weapons that European states imported between 2019 and 2023.
India ranked as the #1 importer of weaponry worldwide. The think tank claimed in a statement that between 2014–18 and 2019–23, its imports of weapons rose by 4.7%.
“This was the first five-year period since 196064 when deliveries from Russia (or the Soviet Union before 1991) made up less than half of India’s military imports,” the statement stated, even though Russia continued to be the country’s top arms supplier, accounting for 36% of the country’s purchases of armaments.
The report also states that Pakistan’s imports have surged by 43%. According to the report, China emerged as Pakistan’s primary supplier, accounting for 82% of the country’s purchases of weapons, making it the fifth-largest arms importer between 2019 and 2023.
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China’s own arms imports decreased by 44% as a result of replacing imported weapons, the most of which were made in Russia, with domestically made equipment. “There is little doubt that one major factor—concern over China’s ambitions—is driving Japan and other US allies and partners in Asia and Oceania to continue importing high levels of weapons,” stated Siemon Wezeman, Senior Researcher with the SIPRI Arms Transfers Programme.
According to the research, “the US is a growing supplier to the region and shares their perception of a Chinese threat.” The Middle East received 30% of all international arms shipments between 2019 and 2023, according to the research. As a result, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, these three Middle Eastern countries were among the top 10 importers in 2019–23.
According to SIPRI, Saudi Arabia accounted for 8.4% of all arms imports worldwide in 2019–23, making it the second-largest arms importer in the world. However, over that same year, Saudi Arabian arms imports decreased by 28%.
