Reference:

• The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) has released its Global Arms Transfer Report 2025, analyzing the international transfer of major arms during the 2020-2024 period.

Key Points:

• According to the report, India became the world’s second-largest arms importer in 2024, accounting for 8.3% of global arms imports.
• This shift indicates that India’s dependence on Russia is decreasing, with countries like the USA, France, and Israel emerging as major suppliers.
• Changes in Arms Imports and Declining Dependence on Russia:
• The report states that India's arms imports declined by 9.3% between 2015-2019 and 2020-2024 due to the rise in indigenous defense production, reducing the country’s reliance on imports.
• Russia remained India’s largest arms supplier, but its share decreased from 72% in 2010-2014 to 55% in 2015-2019, and further down to 38% in 2020-2024.
• Overall, India’s dependence on Russian arms reduced by 64% between 2015-2019 and 2020-2024.

Major Arms Suppliers:

With Russia’s declining share, India has sourced a significant portion of its defense imports from Western countries. According to the report:

• France accounted for 28% of India’s arms imports.
• Israel accounted for 34% of India’s arms imports.
• India did not rank among the top three arms importers from the United States.
• South Korea and South Africa accounted for 7% and 11% of India’s imports, respectively.
• India's reliance on France increased by 11%, while its dependence on Israel decreased by 2% between 2015-2019 and 2020-2024.

Global Scenario and the Impact of the Ukraine War:

• Ukraine became the world's largest arms importer in 2024, accounting for 8.8% of global imports, largely due to military aid following Russia's invasion.
• The top five arms-importing countries in 2024 were:

1. Ukraine (8.8%)

2. India (8.3%)

3. Qatar

4. Saudi Arabia

5. Pakistan

In Asia and Oceania, the four leading arms importers during 2020-2024 were India, Pakistan, Japan, and Australia. The primary arms suppliers in the region were:

• United States (37%)
• Russia (17%)
• China (14%)

China dropped out of the top 10 arms importers for the first time since 1990-1994.

India’s Arms Export Status:

• Although India has made efforts to boost domestic arms production and secure export deals, it did not rank among the top 25 global arms exporters during 2020-2024.

Top Arms Exporting Countries:

Between 2020-2024, the leading arms-exporting countries were:

1. United States (21% increase)

2. France (11% increase)

3. Russia (64% decline)

4. China

5. Germany

India’s Arms Imports from Ukraine:

India sourced 15% of its arms imports from Ukraine.

India, China, and Pakistan were Ukraine’s major arms buyers, with:

• China accounting for 67%
• Pakistan accounting for 5.3%

These countries primarily imported naval gas turbines, with Ukraine remaining a key supplier.

Regional Trends:

• Europe: Due to the Russia-Ukraine war, European countries have increased their defense spending, leading to a 155% rise in arms imports.
• Middle East: Although arms imports in this region declined by 20%, it remains a major importer.

Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) : 

• An independent international institute dedicated to research on conflicts, armament, arms control, and disarmament.
• Established: 1966
• Mission: To provide policymakers, researchers, media, and the general public with data, analysis, and recommendations based on open sources.