India world’s largest importer of arms, military equipment
Ajay Banerjee
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, March 16
India has yet again emerged as the world’s largest buyer of weapons and military equipment, accounting for some 15% of all such international imports. Russia, despite losing monopoly over the Indian defence market, continues to hold a dominant position as the largest supplier for New Delhi. Saudi Arabia, China, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Pakistan, are the next four biggest global importers.
These trends have emerged from a report released on Monday by Sweden-based think-tank Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). The assessment was done for a five-year period (2010-2014).
Titled ‘Trends in international arms transfers’, it says India’s share in global imports increased by 140% in previous 2005–2009 period, indicating that New Delhi’s attempts to be self-reliant were not enough as sophisticated planes, warships and radars were being procured from outside.
“India’s imports were three times larger than those of either of its regional rivals China and Pakistan. This contrasts with 2005–2009 when India’s imports were 23% below China’s and just over double than those of Pakistan,” The SIPRI report said.
In the period 2010–14, which is the basis of the latest report, Russia supplied 70% of India’s arms imports, the USA 12% and Israel 7%. Acquisitions from the US are a break with the recent past. During the period studied by SIPRI, India procured fighter jets and Mi-17-V5 helicopters from Russia; specialised transport planes, the C-130-J Super Hercules and the C-17 Globemaster from the US; UAV’s and radars from Israel. The previous report that studied the period 2009-2013 had said Russia supplied 75% of the equipment to India, while the US and Israel had 7% and 6% sales, respectively. This means Russia’s share of 70% is a drop from earlier year, while the US and Israel have grown.
The Chinese threat
India’s neighbour China is helping Pakistan, Bangladesh and Myanmar (Burma) in ramping up their military prowess.
China is now the third largest exporter of weapons ahead of traditional manufacturers Germany, France and UK. Its biggest benefactors are Pakistan, Bangladesh and Burma — all having a shared boundary with India and could potentially cause trouble for New Delhi. The three countries accounted for 68% of Beijing’s exports.
India sees China’s exports to countries around India as a part of its long-term strategy of having a ‘string of pearls’ — a kind of military toe-hold in countries around India. Chinese exports of major arms increased by 143% between 2005–2009 and during 2010-14. Its share of global arms exports increased from 3% to 5%, the report said.
