Source– This post on India was the top arms importer in 2019-2023: SIPRI is based on the article “India world’s top arms importer between 2019-23: SIPRI” published in “The Hindu” on 12th March 2024.
Why in the News?
According to the latest data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), India was the world’s leading arms importer for the period 2019-2023. India’s arms imports saw a 4.7% increase compared to the period from 2014 to 2018.
What are the key findings?
1. Russia remains India’s top supplier– Russia is still India’s main arms supplier, making up 36% of imports. However, it’s the first time since 1960-1964 that Russia’s deliveries comprised less than half of India’s arms imports in a five-year period.
Note– After Russia, France (33%) stands as India’s second-largest arms supplier, while the US (13%) ranks as the third-largest provider of weapons to India.
2. Asia and the Middle East are the leading importers– In 2019-2023, nine of the top ten arms importers, including India, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, were from Asia, Oceania, or the Middle East.
3. Increase in European arms imports
a. The report shows a notable 94% rise in European arms imports from 2014-2018 to 2019-2023 which is likely due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
b. In 2019-2023, European countries imported over half of their arms, 55%, from the U.S., which increased from 35% in 2014-2018.
4. U.S. and France top arms exports– The United States, the biggest arms supplier globally, experienced a 17% increase in exports from 2014-2018 to 2019-2023. Meanwhile, France became the world’s second-largest arms supplier, with exports growing by 47%.
About Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)
About– It is an independent international institute headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, dedicated to researching conflict, armaments, arms control, and disarmament.
Vision– A world in which sources of insecurity are identified and understood, conflicts are prevented or resolved, and peace is sustained.
Established in 1966
| Read more– Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) |
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