News: The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) released its report on global arms transfers for the period 2020-2024, highlighting key shifts in arms imports and exports across various nations.
Key findings of the SIPRI report
- Ukraine emerged as the largest importer of major arms globally in 2020-2024, with an almost hundredfold increase compared to 2015-2019.
- The United States accounted for 45% of Ukraine’s arms imports, followed by Germany (12%) and Poland (11%). Overall, Ukraine accounted for 8.8% of global arms imports during this period.
- India remained the world’s second-largest arms importer, though its imports declined by 9.3% compared to 2015-2019. Despite the reduction, India was still the top export destination for Russian and French arms.
- Russia’s Share: 36% of India’s arms imports came from Russia, significantly lower than in previous years (55% in 2015-2019 and 72% in 2010-2014)
- Key Acquisitions: India has signed contracts for major military platforms from France, including 36 Rafale fighter jets and six Scorpene-class submarines. Additionally, deals for 26 Rafale-M jets and three more submarines are expected soon.
- Pakistan’s arms imports rose by 61% between 2015-2019 and 2020-2024.
- China strengthened its dominance as Pakistan’s top supplier, accounting for 81% of its total arms imports, up from 74% in the previous period.
- For the first time since 1990-1994, China dropped out of the top 10 arms importers.
- France became the world’s second-largest arms exporter. India (28%) and Qatar (9.7%) were the top buyers.
- European arms imports rose 155% amid security threats from Russia.
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