SIPRI ‘2021 Trends in International Arms Transfers’ Report

March 16, 2022

Recently, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) published the “Trends in International Arms Transfers, 2021” report.

Global scenario

In 2017-21, India, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Australia, & China were the five largest arms importers. U.S., Russia, France, China, & Germany were the five biggest arms exporters.
Top five importers accounted for nearly 38% of global arms imports during the 2017-21 period.
Top five exporters accounted for nearly 77% of global arms exports during the 2017-21 period.
The report noted that the volume of global arms transfers during the 2017-21 period was 4.6% less as compared to the 2012-16 period. However, the global arms transfers during the 2017-21 period were 3.9% more as compared to the 2007-11 period.

Data regarding India

According to the report, India is the largest importer of arms globally and in 2017-21, India accounted for 11% of global arms imports. Both 2012-16 and 2017-21 Russia was the largest supplier of arms to India. However, between these two periods, the volume of imports by India from Russia reduced by 47%. During the same period, India’s imports from France increased and France became India’s second-largest supplier of arms.

India’s indigenization efforts

India’s total volume of imports fell by 21% from 2012 to 2016. This demonstrates the push given by the government to promote the manufacturing of arms and weapons systems indigenously. Around 68% of the capital budget for 2022-23 is allocated for domestic manufacturing industries.

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