India biggest buyer of arms

India has purchased the most arms in the world in the last 5 years. This claim has been made in a report released by Sweden's Stockholm International Peace Research Institute i.e. SIPRI. It has been told in this report that not only India, but Asian countries have purchased the maximum number of weapons in the last 5 years. Nine of the world's 10 largest arms importers in the period 2019–23 were from countries in Asia and Oceania or the Middle East. These include India and the world's top three importing countries, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. According to the report, Ukraine became the fourth largest arms importer globally after acquiring major arms from more than 30 states in the period 2022-23. At the same time, due to the Ukraine war, the race to buy arms is accelerating in Europe. Europe's arms imports to double in 2019-2023 compared to 2014-2018. Of these, 55 percent of weapons were exported to Europe from America. In the period 2014 to 18, America's share in arms exports to Europe was 35 percent.

If seen globally, America still remains the world's largest arms exporter. In the last five years, America's arms exports have increased by 17 percent and its share in global exports has increased from 34 percent to 42 percent. However, after the war between Russia and Ukraine, Russia's share in global arms exports has dropped to 11 percent, which was 22 percent between 2014-18. Therefore, Russia has reached third place in selling arms. America is at first place and France is at second place with 11 percent global share. Five years ago, France's share was 7.2 percent. At fourth place is China, whose share in global arms exports is 5.8. However, it has seen a decline of 5.3 percent in the last five years.

France's arms exports have increased by 47 percent between 2014-18 and 2019-23. India was the biggest buyer of French arms. India bought about 30 percent of France's total arms exports. Recently, India has purchased Rafale fighter jets from France. At the same time, Russia's global arms exports have fallen by 53 percent between 2014-18 and 2019-23. While in 2019 Russia sold arms to 31 countries, in 2023 only 12 countries bought Russian weapons. India bought 34 percent of Russian arms.

Despite shortage of flour, pulses, LPG, skyrocketing prices of petrol, inflation and depleted foreign exchange reserves, Pakistan has not lagged behind in purchasing arms. According to the report, a 43 percent increase was seen in Pakistan's arms purchases. It is believed that Pakistan uses much of the financial help or loan it receives from IMF or other means to buy weapons. India has also warned international banks about this. Pakistan was the world's fifth largest arms importer in 2019-23. Pakistan bought maximum 82 percent weapons from China.