Global Arms Trade Trends (2020-2024): SIPRI Report

Context:

Ukraine, involved in a war with Russia for the past four years, was the largest importer of major arms in the world in the 2020-24 period, clocking a nearly hundredfold rise in imports compared with the figures for 2015-19.

Key Highlights

• Ukraine became the largest importer of major arms, with a 100-fold increase compared to 2015-19, due to its ongoing war with Russia.
• India ranked as the second-largest arms importer, despite a 9.3% decline in imports.
• China dropped out of the top 10 arms importers for the first time since 1990-94, reflecting its growing domestic defense industry.
• Russia’s arms exports fell by 64%, dropping to third place behind the U.S. and France.
• France’s arms exports surged, making India its largest customer (28% of exports), followed by Qatar (9.7%).
• Pakistan’s arms imports increased by 61%, with China providing 81% of its weapons.

India’s Arms Imports: Changing Trends

Global Arms Export & Import Trends

• Top 3 Arms Exporters (2020-24):
  1. United States (43% of global exports) – Maintained dominance.
  2. France (9.6%) – Overtook Russia as the second-largest exporter.
  3. Russia (7.8%) – Significant decline in global share.
• Key Regional Trends:
  • Europe’s arms imports increased by 155%, largely due to rearmament in response to Russia.
  • Italy rose to sixth place among arms exporters, securing a 4.8% share.
  • Saudi Arabia, India, and China saw declining import volumes for varied reasons.

Ukraine’s Arms Imports

• Received 8.8% of global arms imports in 2020-24.
• At least 35 countries supplied weapons to Ukraine since 2022.
• Major supplies came from France, U.S., and European allies.

Conclusion

• The Russia-Ukraine war has reshaped global arms trade, with Europe increasing imports and Russia losing market dominance.
• India is diversifying its suppliers, relying more on France and reducing dependence on Russia.
• China is self-sufficient, reducing its arms imports significantly.
• Pakistan remains heavily reliant on China, while Ukraine has rapidly become the world’s top arms importer.

Source: The Hindu