Context: During 2019-23, India emerged as the world's foremost purchaser of arms, according to the most recent findings from SIPRI (Swedish think tank Stockholm International Peace Research Institute).
Key findings of SIPRI’s report:
- India’s arms imports have increased by 4.7% as compared to 2014-18.
- Arms imports by European countries increased by 94% between 2014-18 and 2019-23 (in the backdrop of the Russia Ukraine war).
- Russia remained India’s largest arms supplier (36% of the total).
- Top three importers: India, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
- Ukraine became the fourth largest arms importer.
- Pakistan, the fifth largest arms importer, received 82% of its arms from China.
- France emerged as the world's second largest arms supplier after the United States.
- The largest single recipient of French arms exports was India.
About Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI):
- It is an international institute based in Stockholm, Sweden.
- It was founded in 1966 and provides data, analysis and recommendations for armed conflict, military expenditure and arms trade as well as disarmament and arms control.
- The research is based on open sources.