SOURCE: AFI
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) released its latest report on global arms transfers for the period 2020–2024, highlighting India’s evolving role in the international arms market. According to the report, India retained its position as the world’s second-largest arms importer, driven by perceived threats from both China and Pakistan. However, the data also reveals a notable 9.3 per cent decline in India’s arms imports between the periods 2015–2019 and 2020–2024, signaling a potential shift in strategy amid efforts to bolster indigenous defense production and diversify suppliers.
India’s position as a major arms importer has long been shaped by its geopolitical environment, with ongoing tensions along its borders with China and Pakistan necessitating a robust military posture. The SIPRI report underscores that India’s imports continue to reflect these perceived threats, particularly in light of the prolonged military standoff with China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) since 2020 and the persistent security challenges posed by Pakistan along the Line of Control (LoC).
Despite remaining the second-largest arms importer globally, trailing only Ukraine, India’s arms imports dropped by 9.3 per cent between 2015–2019 and 2020–2024. This decline can be attributed to several factors, including delays in delivery schedules due to global supply chain disruptions, bureaucratic hurdles in procurement processes, and a growing emphasis on indigenous defense production under the “Make in India” initiative. The Indian government has prioritized self-reliance, promoting projects like the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, indigenous missile systems, and domestic production of small arms and artillery.
Historically, Russia (and the Soviet Union before it) has been India’s dominant arms supplier, providing everything from fighter jets and tanks to submarines and missile systems. However, the SIPRI report reveals a significant shift in this dynamic. In the 2020–2024 period, Russia accounted for 36 per cent of India’s arms imports—a sharp decline from 55 per cent in 2015–2019 and 72 per cent in 2010–2014. This marks the lowest share of Russian arms in India’s import portfolio in over six decades, reflecting a deliberate diversification strategy by New Delhi.
Russia delivered major arms to 33 states during 2020–2024, with two-thirds of its total exports concentrated among just three countries: India (38 per cent), China, and Algeria. Despite the reduced share, India remains the largest single recipient of Russian arms, with deliveries including S-400 air defense systems, MiG-29 fighter jets, and T-90 tanks. However, Russia’s overall arms exports have declined by 64 per cent between 2015–2019 and 2020–2024, largely due to Western sanctions following its invasion of Ukraine, which have disrupted production and supply chains.
The decline in India’s reliance on Russia has been driven by several factors. First, geopolitical shifts have prompted India to seek alternative suppliers to mitigate risks associated with over-dependence on a single partner, especially one facing international isolation. Second, delays in Russian deliveries—exacerbated by the Ukraine conflict—have frustrated Indian defense planners, pushing them to explore other options. Finally, India’s growing partnerships with Western nations, particularly France and the United States, have provided access to advanced technologies that align with the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Navy’s modernization goals.
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