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New Delhi, The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) has identified India as the world’s largest importer of arms in its latest report. The European think tank, which specializes in tracking global arms sales, noted a significant portion of India’s arms imports come from Russia, although there has been a shift towards Western suppliers and domestic production in recent years.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the SIPRI report highlighted that Russia remains the predominant supplier of military hardware to India, contributing to 36 percent of the country’s arms imports. However, the dynamics of India’s defense procurement are evolving, with increased reliance on Western nations and internal sources for military equipment.
Following Russia, France and the United States emerge as India’s second and third largest arms suppliers, holding 33 percent and 13 percent shares, respectively. This diversification in sourcing reflects India’s strategic efforts to modernize and enhance its military capabilities amidst changing global and regional security dynamics.
The report also sheds light on India’s significant impact on the global arms market, accounting for 11 percent of worldwide arms sales from 2018 to 2022. However, there was a minor decrease in this percentage to 9.8 percent during the period of 2019-2023, indicating a slight reduction in India’s share of global arms purchases.
Despite being the top arms importer globally, the report suggests that this status places India in a strategically vulnerable position. Yet, India remains a crucial market for major arms exporting countries like France, Russia, and Israel, underscoring its pivotal role in the international defense trade landscape.