Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) according to its report on March 11, 2024, India is the world's top arms importer. India's arms imports have registered a growth of 4.7 percent between 2014-2018 and 2019-2023.
Highlights of SIPRI Report:
- According to the SIPRI report, Russia still remains India's main arms supplier.
- However, this is the first time since 1960-64 that Russia's share in India's arms imports was less than 50 percent.
- India has received 36 percent of its total arms imports from Russia.
- According to the SIPRI report, the US supplied about 55% of the total weapons imported by European countries in 2019-23.
- Japan's arms imports have increased by 155 percent.
- Whereas South Korea's arms imports have increased by 6.5 percent.
- However, China's own arms imports have decreased by 44 percent.
Pakistan's increased arms imports:
- According to the report, Pakistan's arms imports have increased by 43 percent.
- Pakistan has been the fifth largest arms importer in 2019-23.
- Pakistan has received a maximum 82 percent of weapons from China.
- The high level of arms imports by US allies in Asia and Oceania is due to these countries' concerns about China's ambitions.
- The US is a major supplier of arms to the Asia and Oceania region.
- According to the report, Qatar increased its arms imports almost four times (396 percent) between 2014-18 and 2019-23. Due to which it became the world's third largest arms importer in 2019-23.
About Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI):
- SIPRI is an international institute. It conducts research in the fields of wars, munitions, arms control and disarmament.
- SIPRI is an independent international institute.
- SIPRI was established in 1966.
- This institution carries out research in the fields of wars and conflicts, munitions, arms control and disarmament. It provides data analysis and recommendations to policy makers, researchers, media and interested parties.
- SIPRI is headquartered in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden.
- SIPRI is included in the list of the world's most respected think tanks.