- According to a report published by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute(SIPRI),India is the world’s second largest importer of major arms in 2014–18 and accounted for 9.5% of the global imports.Saudi Arabia stands first followed by India,Egypt,Australia and Algeria.
- Russia is biggest supplier to India followed by US and Israel.Russia accounted for 58% of Indian arms imports in 2014–18, compared with 76% in 2009-13.However, the Russian share in Indian imports is likely to go up in the next five year period as India has signed several big-ticket deals.These include (a)S-400 air defence systems (b)four stealth frigates (c)AK-203 assault rifles (d)second nuclear attack submarine on lease (e)Kamov-226T utility helicopters (f)Mi-17 helicopters and (g)short-range air defence systems.
- The report has also said that Indian imports decreased by 24% between 2009-13 and 2014-18.It was due to delays in deliveries of arms produced under licence from foreign suppliers,such as combat aircraft ordered from Russia in 2001 and submarines ordered from France in 2008.
- SIPRI is an international institute based in Sweden, dedicated to research into (a)conflict (b)armaments (c)arms control and (d) disarmament.It provides data analysis and recommendations,based on open sources to policymakers,researchers,media and the interested public.
