Arms Imports Drop by 33% - SIPRI Report

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According to Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) released on 15th March, 2021, India’s arms import fell by 33% between 2011-15 and 2016-20.

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A fall in imports by India mainly attempts to reduce its dependence on imports from Russia and complex procurement process. India’s imports of US arms also fell 46%.

Although the US, being the world’s largest arms exporter, saw its exports rise. Its global share of arms exports went up from 32% to 37% between 2011-15 and 2016-20.

India’s top three arms suppliers during 2016-20 were Russia, France and Israel.

According to SIPRI, India had share of 0.2% of global arms exports during 2016-20, making the country the world’s 24th largest exporter of major arms.

The top recipients of Indian military hardware were Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Mauritius.

Russia’s arms export also fell by 22% according to SIPRI. India was the biggest importer of Russian military hardware during the last five years and around 23% of Russia’s arms were exported to India.

Exports by China, the world’s fifth-largest arms exporter in 2016-20 also fell by 7.8% between 2011-15 and 2016-20.

China was responsible for 74% of Pakistan’s military imports during the last five years, up from 61% in 2011-15.

The top five arms exporters in 2016-20 were the US, Russia, France, Germany and China, while the top importers were Saudi Arabia, India, Egypt, Australia and China.

India’s military’s capital budget for 2021-22 is Rs 70,221 crore (63%) for buying locally produced weapons and systems to raise defence indigenization.

According to SIPRI India’s military imports are expected to grow over the next five years.

About SIPRI

SIPRI is an independent international institute dedicated to research into conflict, armaments, arms control and disarmament. Established in 1966, SIPRI provides data, analysis and recommendations, based on open sources, to policymakers, researchers, media and the interested public. Based in Stockholm, SIPRI is regularly ranked among the most respected think tanks worldwide.

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