New Delhi: India has emerged as the world’s second-largest importer of military arms, accounting for 8.3% of global imports during 2021–25, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
SIPRI, based in Stockholm, Sweden, has tracked global arms flows, disarmament and related international developments since 1966. In its latest report on the top 10 arms importers for 2021–25, Ukraine ranked first with a 9.7% share.
The report said Russia, France and Israel were India’s leading suppliers in this period. Russia accounted for 40% of India’s arms imports, followed by France at 29% and Israel at 15%.
Compared with the previous five-year period (2016–20), India’s arms imports fell by 4%. SIPRI attributed the decline to increased domestic defence production under the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative, while noting that India continues to import due to ongoing requirements.
The report also pointed to major recent purchases, including 140 fighter aircraft from France and six submarines from Germany. Over the past decade, India has diversified its procurement sources, reducing reliance on Russia and increasing purchases from countries such as France, Israel and the United States.
