SIPRI report 2023: India world’s largest arms importer

SIPRI report 2023

India is still the world’s largest importer of military equipment, despite an 11% decline in arms purchases between 2013–17 and 2018–22, according to a study by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Sipri). The report is released at a time when India has intensified its efforts to become self-reliant in the defence manufacturing sector. This year’s defence budget included about Rs 1 lakh crore for domestic purchases, compared to Rs 84,598 crore, Rs 70,221 crore, and Rs 51,000 crore in the three years prior.

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SIPRI report 2023: Overview of the news

According to data published by the think tank that tracks weapons imports over a five-year period, India had the biggest percentage of the world’s arms imports in the past five years at 11%, followed by Saudi Arabia (9.6%), Qatar (6.4%), Australia (4.7%), and China (4.7%).
The most recent report supports the findings of the Sipri report from last year. India remained still the world’s top importer of weaponry in 2022, despite a 21% decline in imports between 2012–16 and 2017–21, according to the report. A cumbersome procurement process and efforts to replace imports with local products, according to the latest research, were among the causes of the drop in India’s imports.
Over the last four to five years, India has implemented a variety of steps to increase defence self-reliance. Among them are setting up a separate budget to purchase military equipment made in-country, increasing foreign direct investment from 49% to 74%, and notifying foreign governments of the hundreds of weapons and systems that will be produced domestically over the next five to six years but cannot be imported.

SIPRI report 2023: Globally

In the past five years, the US exported 40% of all military goods worldwide, followed by Russia (16%), France (11%), China (5.2%), and Germany (4.2%), according to new Sipri data. From 2013–17 and 2018–22, American armament exports increased 14% while those of Russia decreased 31%. India imported 37% fewer goods from Russia.
According to Sipri, Ukraine was the 14th largest importer of major weaponry in 2018–2022 and the third largest in 2022.
According to the research, France’s arms exports increased by 44% between 2013 and 2018 and received 30% of them from India over the previous five years, surpassing the US to become India’s second-largest arms supplier after Russia.

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Sumit Arora

As a team lead and current affairs writer at Adda247, I am responsible for researching and producing engaging, informative content designed to assist candidates in preparing for national and state-level competitive government exams. I specialize in crafting insightful articles that keep aspirants updated on the latest trends and developments in current affairs. With a strong emphasis on educational excellence, my goal is to equip readers with the knowledge and confidence needed to excel in their exams. Through well-researched and thoughtfully written content, I strive to guide and support candidates on their journey to success.