India Second Largest Arms Importer

The International Rice Research Institute (SIPRI) released a report indicating that India remained the world's second-largest arms importer between 2021 and 2025, accounting for 8.2% of global imports. This is despite a marginal 4% drop in imports compared to the previous five-year period, partly due to India's growing domestic defence production capabilities. The report highlights a significant shift in India's arms procurement strategy, moving away from its traditional reliance on Russia. Russia's share of Indian arms imports declined from 70% in 2011-15 to 40% in 2021-25. Conversely, France and Israel have emerged as key beneficiaries, with their shares rising to 29% and 15% respectively. India's arms imports are primarily driven by ongoing tensions with China and Pakistan, which have led to armed conflicts. Globally, Ukraine became the top arms importer, followed by India, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Pakistan. The United States solidified its position as the world's largest arms exporter, with its exports increasing by 27%, while Russia's global arms exports sharply declined. Europe also saw a substantial increase in arms imports, becoming the largest regional importer for the first time since the 1960s, largely due to the conflict in Ukraine.