India Becomes World’s Second-Largest Arms Importer: SIPRI Report

According to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, India emerged as the second-largest importer of major arms globally during the 2021–2025 period, accounting for about 8.2% of global arms imports.

The report highlights that despite efforts to strengthen domestic defence manufacturing through initiatives such as Make in India, India still depends significantly on foreign defence equipment for military modernisation.

Major Arms Suppliers to India

Although India has diversified its defence procurement sources, Russia remains the largest supplier of arms to India, though its share has declined in recent years.

Other key suppliers include:

France

United States

Israel

This shift reflects India’s strategy to diversify defence partnerships and reduce dependence on a single supplier.

Global Arms Trade Trends

The SIPRI report also indicates major changes in global arms transfers:

Ukraine became the largest arms importer due to the ongoing war with Russia.

The United States remained the largest arms exporter, accounting for the biggest share of global exports.

France emerged as the second-largest arms exporter globally.

Reasons for India’s High Defence Imports

India’s large arms imports are driven by several strategic factors:

Ongoing border tensions with China and Pakistan.

Modernisation of military platforms across the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

Replacement of ageing Soviet-era defence equipment.

Key Facts:

Stockholm International Peace Research Institute is an independent international research institute based in Stockholm.

SIPRI was established in 1966 and conducts research on conflict, armaments, arms control, and disarmament.

SIPRI Director: Dan Smith

The institute publishes the SIPRI Yearbook and reports on global arms transfers and military expenditure.

India has historically been one of the largest arms importers since the 1990s due to defence modernisation needs.

India is simultaneously trying to increase indigenous defence production through initiatives such as Atmanirbhar Bharat and the Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy.