SIPRI: Ukraine remained the largest arms importer in 2020-24, India in second place; Global think-tank report

Ukraine became the world's largest importer of arms in 2020-24. Ukraine's imports of arms increased nearly 100 times in the five years since 2015-19. India became the world's second-largest importer of arms during the same period. Ukraine has been at war with Russia since February 2022, and India is threatened by China and Pakistan in the region. Sweden-based global think tank Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) has given this information in its report.

According to the report, Ukraine captured 8.8% of global arms imports during 2020-24. The countries supplying arms to Ukraine after Russia's invasion include the US (45%), Germany (12%), and Poland (11%).

According to SIPRI, India ranked second in terms of arms imports in 2020-24. During this period, arms were imported mainly from Russia. However, arms imports from Russia declined to 38%, which was earlier 55% in 2015-19. According to the report, European countries strengthened their military forces after Russia's invasion and Europe saw a 155% increase in arms imports.

The report states that globally, US arms exports stood at 43%, while Russia's arms exports declined by 64%. SIPRI reported that China dropped out of the list of top 10 arms exporting countries during the period 2020-24. It was one of the first arms-exporting countries. Furthermore, SIPRI also said that Pakistan increased its arms imports by 61% and China emerged as its leading arms supplier, fulfilling 81% of Pakistan's arms imports during 2020-24.