According to the latest report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), titled “The World’s Largest Arms Importers 2020-2024”, Ukraine has emerged as the leading global arms importer, accounting for 8.8% of total arms imports during this period.
Report Highlights
SIPRI 2024 report highlights significant shifts in the global arms market, notably with Ukraine’s dramatic increase in arms imports amidst ongoing conflict and the evolving dynamics of global defense procurement among major importers like India.
Ukraine’s Surge in Arms Imports:
- Prior to 2022, Ukraine’s imports of major arms were minimal. However, due to the ongoing conflict with Russia that began in February 2022, Ukraine significantly ramped up arms purchases in 2023 and 2024.
- Nearly 50% of Ukraine’s arms imports came from the United States, the dominant player in the global arms export market.
- Ukraine has sourced major arms from at least 35 countries as part of military aid.
Global Arms Import Trends:
- The five largest arms importers accounted for 35% of global arms imports among the 162 nations classified as major arms importers between 2020 and 2024.
- European countries have notably increased their imports of major arms and defence weapons, witnessing a 155% rise over the past four years (2020-2024) compared to the period from 2015 to 2019.
Top 10 Largest Arms Importers (2020-2024): Share of global arms imports (2020-24)
Ukraine – 8.8%; Top Suppliers: USA, Germany, Poland
India – 8.3%; Top Suppliers: Russia, France, Israel
Qatar – 6.8%; Top Suppliers: USA, Italy, UK
Saudi Arabia – 6.8%; Top Suppliers: USA, Spain, France
Pakistan – 4.6%; Top Suppliers: China, Netherlands, Türkiye
Japan – 3.9%; Top Suppliers: USA, UK, Germany
Australia – 3.5%; Top Suppliers: USA, Spain, Norway
Egypt – 3.3%; Top Suppliers: Germany, Italy, France
United States – 3.1%; Top Suppliers: UK, France, Israel
Kuwait – 2.9%; Top Suppliers: USA, Italy, France
Global Position of India
Second-Largest Arms Importer: India ranks as the world’s second-largest arms importer, accounting for 8.3% of global imports during the period 2020-2024.
Decline in Import Dependency: This represents a 9.3% decline in its share compared to the previous five-year period (2015-2019), reflecting India’s growing domestic capacity to design and manufacture its own weapons under initiatives like “Make in India”.
Sourcing Trends:
- Russia remains the largest supplier to India, constituting 36% of its arms imports.
- However, India is gradually diversifying its arms procurement by increasingly turning to Western suppliers, such as France, Israel, and the United States.
About SIPRI
Institutional Background:
- SIPRI is an independent international institute established in 1966, dedicated to research on conflict, armaments, arms control, and disarmament.
- Based in Stockholm, SIPRI is widely respected for its data-driven analysis and policy recommendations.
- The institute serves as a valuable resource for policymakers, researchers, media, and the public worldwide.