Context: India Remains Top Arms Importer Globally: SIPRI Data 2019-23

India has maintained its position as the world’s largest arms importer, according to the latest data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) for the period 2019-23.

Global Arms Trade Trends: Top Importers and Exporters Revealed

• India leads as the top arms importer, followed by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Ukraine, Pakistan, and others.

Country	Information
India	Positioned as the world’s leading arms importer, with a 4.7 percent increase in arms imports.
Saudi Arabia	World’s second-largest arms importer, receiving 8.4 percent of global arms imports in the period.
Qatar	Third-largest arms importer, with a fourfold increase of +396 percent in arms imports.
Ukraine	Secured the fourth position globally.
Pakistan	The fifth-largest arms importer globally, 43 percent increase in arms imports.
Egypt	Seventh-largest arms importer, importing combat aircraft and major warships.
Australia	World’s eighth-largest arms importer, despite a 21 percent decrease in arms imports.
Israel	Mainly reliant on the USA (69 percent) and Germany (30 percent) for its arms imports.

• The US, France, and Russia are the top arms exporters, with the US experiencing significant growth in market share.

Country	Information
USA	Maintained its dominant position as the world’s leading arms exporter, with a 17 percent increase in arms exports. Accounted for 42 percent of total global arms exports.
France	Secured the second position globally with a 47 percent increase in arms exports, accounting for 42 percent of total global arms exports.
Russia	Russia experienced a decline of 53 percent in arms exports, falling to the third position.
Italy	Notable increase of 86 percent in arms exports.
South Korea	Recorded a 12 percent increase in arms exports.
China	Slight decrease of 5.3 percent in arms exports, becoming a major supplier to sub-Saharan Africa.
Germany	Experienced a decline of 14 percent in arms exports.
United Kingdom	Declined by 14 percent in arms exports.
Spain	Experienced a decline of 3.3 percent in arms exports.
Israel	Declined by 25 percent in arms exports.

India’s Arms Import Trends: Dynamics, Diversification, and Geopolitical Shifts

• Steady Increase in Arms Imports: SIPRI data indicates a 4.7% increase in India’s arms imports from 2014-18 to 2019-23.
• China Factor: This growth is attributed to emergency procurements amidst a prolonged military standoff with China.
  • Arms imports by Japan and South Korea, two of China’s key neighbours, were also up by 155 per cent and 6.5 per cent respectively.
  • This trend was driven by concerns over China’s continued aggression in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Changing Dynamics in Arms Suppliers: Russia historically dominated as India’s primary arms supplier (36% of imports).
  • SIPRI said 2019-23 was the first five-year period since 1960–64 when deliveries from the Soviet Union/Russia made up less than half of India’s arms imports. 
  • Russia’s exports to India decreased by 34% between 2014–18 and 2019–23. France accounts for 33% of India’s imports, with the US placed third with 13%.
• Diversification: India emerges as the largest arms customer for France, Russia, and Israel, reflecting its geopolitical concerns and diverse procurement strategies.
  • However, diversification is evident, with France and the US collectively accounting for 46% of India’s imports.
  • France and the US will gain further with mega Indian contracts to be inked later this year. 
  • They include the direct acquisition of 31 armed MQ-9B Sky Guardian drones from the US for $3.9 billion as well as 26 Rafale-M fighters from France for an estimated $6 billion. 

Global Arms Trade Trends: China’s Influence, Regional Shifts, and Emerging Agreements

• China’s Dominance in Supplying Pakistan: China plays a crucial role as the primary arms supplier to Pakistan, solidifying its influence in the region.
• Asia and Oceania: The region received 37 percent of major arms transfers, with the US becoming the largest supplier, accounting for 34 percent of arms imports.
• Middle East: Despite a 28 percent decrease in Saudi Arabia’s arms imports, the region remains a major importer, with the majority of arms supplied by the USA (52 percent), followed by France, Italy, and Germany.
• Africa: Arms imports in Africa fell by 52 percent, driven by substantial decreases in Algeria (–77 percent) and Morocco (–46 percent). China overtook Russia as the main supplier to sub-Saharan Africa.
• America: Arms imports decreased by 7.2 percent, with the USA, Brazil, and Canada leading the region.
• Australia: The country ranked as the world’s eighth-largest arms importer, reaching an agreement with the UK and the USA to import at least six nuclear-powered submarines in 2023.