Saudi Arabia becomes largest arms importer in 2014–18

According to the premier Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)’s latest report, a total of 155 countries imported major arms in 2014–18. Saudi Arabia was the world’s largest arms importer from 2014-18, which accounted for 12% of the total imports during the period. While, India at 2nd spot accounted for 9.5% of the global total. The top five arms importers — Saudi Arabia, India, Egypt, Australia and Algeria— accounted for 35% of total arms imports 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. In its report on ‘Trends in International Arms Transfers 2018’, the institute also identified the United States, Russia, France, Germany and China as the five top arms exporting nations in 2014–18 – accounted for 75% of all arms exports.