Context

According to the latest ‘Trends in International Arms Transfer’ report published by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), India was the world’s second largest importer of major arms in 2014–18 and accounted for 9.5% of the global total.

About

Highlights of the report:

• India ceded the long-held tag as largest importer to Saudi Arabia, which accounted for 12% of the total imports during the period.
• Indian imports decreased by 24% between 2009-13 and 2014-18, partly due to delays in deliveries of arms produced under licence from foreign suppliers, such as combat aircraft ordered from Russia in 2001 and submarines ordered from France in 2008.
• Russia accounted for 58% of Indian arms imports in 2014–18, compared with 76% in 2009-13.
• Israel, the U.S. and France all increased their arms exports to India in 2014-18.
• The report noted that despite the long-standing conflict between India and Pakistan, arms imports decreased for both countries in 2014-18 compared with 2009-13.
• Pakistan stood at the 11th position, accounting for 2.7% of all global imports. Its biggest source was China, from which 70% of arms were sourced, followed by the U.S. at 8.9% and, interestingly, Russia at 6%.

Global Trend

• The ?ve largest exporters in 2014–18 were the United States, Russia, France, Germany and China.
• Together, they accounted for 75 per cent of the total volume of arms exports in 2014–18. The flow of arms increased to the Middle East between 2009–13 and 2014–18, while there was a decrease in flows to all other regions.
• The volume of international transfers of major arms in 2014–18 was 7.8 per cent higher than in 2009–13 and 23 per cent higher than in 2004–2008.
• US arms exports grew by 29 per cent between 2009–13 and 2014–18, and the US share of total global exports rose from 30 per cent to 36 per cent.
• Arms exports by Russia decreased by 17 per cent between 2009–13 and 2014–18, in particular due to the reduction in arms imports by India and Venezuela.
• Between 2009–13 and 2014–18 France increased its arms exports by 43 per cent and Germany by 13 per cent.
• The combined arms exports of European Union member states accounted for 27 per cent of global arms exports in 2014–18.

SIPRI Data

• The SIPRI Arms Transfers Database contains information on all international transfers of major arms (including sales, gifts and production licences) to states, international organizations and armed non-state groups from 1950 to the most recent full calendar year, 2018.
• SIPRI data reflects the volume of deliveries of arms, not the financial value of the deals. As the volume of deliveries can ?uctuate signi?cantly year-on-year, SIPRI presents data for five-year periods, giving a more stable measure of trends.
  
  

  Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) It is an independent international institute dedicated to research into conflict, armaments, arms control and disarmament. Established in 1966, it provides data, analysis and recommendations, based on open sources, to policymakers, researchers, media and the interested public. SIPRI is regularly ranked among the most respected think tanks worldwide.  Mission Undertake research and activities on security, conflict and peace; Provide policy analysis and recommendations; Facilitate dialogue and build capacities; Promote transparency and accountability; and Deliver authoritative information to global audiences.