According to Trends in International Arms Transfers, 2022 report published by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) on 13th March 2023, India remains world’s top arm importer.
As for arms exporters, Russian exports decreased between 2013–17 and 2018–22. Exports to India, the largest recipient of Russian arms, fell by 37 per cent, while Russian arms exports increased to China (+39 per cent) and Egypt (+44 per cent). Now China and Egypt are Russia’s second and third largest recipients.
France is gaining ground in arms export. Its arms exports increased by 44 per cent between 2013–17 and 2018–22. India received 30 per cent of France’s arms exports in 2018–22, and France displaced the USA as the second largest supplier of arms to India after Russia.
Ukraine becomes world’s third largest arms importer in 2022. Military aids from the USA and EU meant Ukraine became the 3rd biggest arms importer during 2022 (after Qatar and India).
Asia and Oceania received 41 per cent of major arms transfers in 2018–22. Six countries in the region were among the 10 largest importers globally in 2018–22: India, Australia, China, South Korea, Pakistan and Japan.
India remains the world’s top arms importer, but its arms imports declined by 11 per cent between 2013–17 and 2018–22 partly due indigenous production.
Imports by Pakistan, the world’s eighth largest arms importer in 2018–22, increased by 14 per cent, with China as its main supplier.
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Trends In International Arms Transfers, 2022 | SIPRI Fact sheet March 2023.
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