Pakistan increased its weapons acquisitions by 119%, growing from 2% of the global total to 5% during last 5 years. PHOTO: FILE
PARIS: India remains the biggest buyer of arms in the world, importing nearly three times as many weapons as its nearest competitors China and Pakistan over the last five years, a Swedish think tank said on Monday.
The total volume of arms sales was up 14 percent in 2009-13 compared to the previous five years, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
Indian imports of major weapons rose by 111 percent in the last five years compared to 2004-08. Its share of total global arms imports increased from 7 to 14 percent, SIPRI said.
India replaced China as the world's biggest arms buyer in 2010. With its domestic defence industry struggling to manufacture high-tech arms, India is in the midst of a defence spending binge as it struggles to keep up with better-equipped Chinese forces and a range of military challenges in its volatile neighbourhood.
The main supplier of arms to India in 2009-13 was Russia, accounting for 75 percent of all imports - reflecting India's need to upgrade and modernise weapons systems dating back to their close relationship during the Cold War.
India has lately sought to diversify its sources, looking particularly to the United States.
Figures from IHS Jane's released in February showed that India became the biggest buyer of US weapons last year - with total imports worth $1.9 billion, and a string of large-scale purchases including Boeing's C-17A transport aircraft and P-8I Maritime Patrol Aircraft.
In 2009-13, however, the US still accounted for only 7 percent of India's purchases according to SIPRI.
India's traditional rival Pakistan increased its weapons acquisitions by 119 percent, growing from 2 percent of the global total to 5 percent during that period.
The five largest arms suppliers worldwide between 2009 and 2013 were the United States (29% of global exports), Russia (27%), Germany (7%), China (6%) and France (5%).
They collectively accounted for 74 percent of total arms exports, SIPRI said.
The world's top five arms importers were now India, China, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
"Chinese, Russian and US arms supplies to South Asia are driven by both economic and political considerations," said Siemon Wezeman, senior researcher with the SIPRI Arms Transfers Programme.
"In particular, China and the USA appear to be using arms deliveries to Asia to strengthen their influence in the region," Wezeman said.
Arms exports to Africa between 2004-08 and 2009-13 jumped 53 percent. The three largest importers in the region were Algeria, Morocco and Sudan.
Imports by European nations decreased by 25 percent between 2004-2008 and 2009-13.
Britain was the largest importer of major weapons in Europe (receiving 12% of deliveries), followed by Azerbaijan (12%) and Greece (11%).
COMMENTS (47)
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@G Indian: interesting comments you have posted. Being an historian, I want to challenge some of them.
1) pakistan is a part of the south asian culture just as india is. In that sense pakistan is the muslim part of the subcontinent while india makes the hindu part of it. Try to understand: pakistan was created as the homeland of the indian Muslims. And it still is. And has its distinct south asian culture which is different from the persian, turkish and arab culture.
The mistake i often see hindu Indians make is that they somehow forget that they are actually sharing south asia with the pakistanis. In that sense pakistan could very much be called west-india or muslim india instead of pakistan.
The muslims once controlled the whole of india. Now they have one third of it. It is as simple as that. "India" in the old sense does not belong to you only. With that in mind, the hindu notion of owning things like music style, spicy "indian" food is not based on facts. India comes from the name of river indus which is in pakistan. And by the way, buddhism was aggressively cleansed out of north india but held sway in both bengal and the now pakistan area long after that.
@Salman: India don't need to harm Pakistan, Pakistani are capable enough to doing it everyday. Just read newspaper everyday.
@ mirza that's what you have nuclear bombs. why be afraid? Stop increasing defence budget vis-via india and spend on poor and economy..If we Attack, feel free to go nuclear on us.. We are not worried becoz india is Not interested in attacking pakistan unless pakistan attack us. So don't attack us problem solved. Your country has nothing to be paranoid about. This is 2014. India's arm race is because of china and its defence budget increase not because of pakistan. It's claims our Arunachal Pradesh state. We can't let that happen. And we have " no first use nuclear policy". "at what cost and expense,where we can spend everywhere else". Yes but spending on those "everything else" won't matter when there won't be any country left . We do not wish to be Crimea or Iraq. Please understand security of our country is important issue to us.
@candid 1. Uk,Aussies, French etc migrate to USA too. So there are no opportunities in their countries? Everyone chooses the best of opportunities he receives. Not because he's dieing to leave the country. ET plz plz plz publish this
The arms race should never start or appreciated. In addition if a poor country is buying arms at the cost of its poor people and wasting a big chunk of it GDP then it is even more shameful. The real picture would be to know what % of its GDP India is wasting on weapons and what % of its GDP Pakistan has been wasting on such non productive areas. Pakistan can never match the purchasing power of India unless we improve our economy by 10 fold. This hateful debate would become factual if we give % of budget spent on defense by each country vs. on education, healthcare and likes.
@Fais: ToI does not have moderation policy like tribune. You can hurl as much abuse against India or Hindus on ToI as you may wish and btw Pakistanis do that. But don't think that people don't hurl abuse here against Hindus or India. They are just moderated so you don't see them.
@Candid 1: The whole world knows which country is threat to them. Indians are welcomed all over the world. Indians contribution to humanity is immense. We care for not only our citizens, but the entire humanity. Do you know the meaning of old sanskrit phrase "Loko samastha sughino bhavanthu" ? Millions of foreigners travel to India for spiritual experience. Go and google facts about India.
The Military Industrial Complex in the US exactly want this ideal scenario. India buys arms to boost its defense against Pakistan and China...Pakistan buys arms in response, China does the same with India again following and Vice Versa...a never ending supply of dollars to United States and running the Military Industrial Complex. No wonder in modern times United States wants a war or two in any part of the world to support the Military Industry. In the not so good time and in the recession, this is brilliant proposition for the United States.
@Aitchison: Truth?
@Fais: Ask this question to the millions of Pakistanis who become "Indians" after any terror act in the world.
@Fais: It is good that you too read TOI. Time for your head check.
Why do indian trolls always get the most recomendations?
Not to worry, most arms imports are for China with love.
@ troller @ someone @ Dhruv @ Indian: You are always more than welcome to visit our websites. When did I ask you not to visit or comment? Read carefully. Please don't make an issue out of nothing which is your usual habit.
@ troller: "By the way, there are also many Pakistanis who visit Indian media websites — however, unlike the Indian guests who may criticize Pakistan(is) but retain a sense of human decorum, the Pakistani trolls tend to hurl abusive and totally uncalled for invectives, leaving behind a poor image of Pakistan and Pakistanis"
Please have a look at the Times of India comments section and there are literally verbal abuses and swear words against muslims and pakistan. I challenge you to find a single comment on Tribune having swear words against non-muslims.
India is a threat not only to Pakistan, but to the entire world. To Indians: if India is so great them how come so many millions of you have immigrated to other countries, and the rest are dying to leave?
@Faisal: I am here not becoz its a pakistani paper but becoz the above news is about India!!
@Tani: great reply keep it up!
@Kamran Khan: You are talking like Pakistan is the centre of the universe. India has won more tournaments than Pakistan with its so called poor bowlers. If India stops supporting Cricket, the game will die within few years, more over PCB needs BCCI to save Pakistan cricket.
@arjmand: Don't make idiotic comments when you have least knowledge of it. India's poverty has decreased to 22% during last 10 years while Pakistan's poverty has increased to 40% as per the latest reports. Google and find it yourself. Indian government have many many programs running to eradicate poverty and generate lots of job opportunities. It is really doesn't matter who rules India.
A proud Indian would say like this :) Image of Pakistan has sunk to such a low level that central Asian countries like Kazakhstan wants to drop the suffix 'stan' from their country's name. They believe that they are unfortunately getting grouped with Af--Pak. The funny part is the word 'stan' originated from ancient Sanskrit 'stana' means place. At the same time, mighty US dropped Indian diplomat's case based on sustained Indian pressure. Half of the ancient world used to follow Indian religions like Hinduism and Budhism. The whole world follow Indian decimal number system. A sub-continent and an ocean is named after India. Native American are called Indians because Eurpoeans originally intented to reach India. Smart Indians dominate the corporate sector (CEOs), education, medical field, science in the western world. Westerners cannot live a day without Yoga workout. India has every right to get the best weapons in the world.There is nothing to be ashamed of it.
@Faisal: website is a global common . it is not your paki product so shut up and we indians will go anywhere and to any extent to defend our country.
@Faisal - We come to enlighten you and not because we are insecure! Unfortunately, we have to correct the misconception of you lot! If we do not correct your positions and thoughts you will keep repeating the same thing and more hatred will grow against India. Through our fellow comment at least we except one person to get the right facts!! Bless Pakistan....hopefully in future, we have no boarders!!
@Faisal:
Obviously, Sir, you have not heard about the age of borderless communication via the Internet. Please come out of your cave and welcome to the modern world. The reason that so many Indians are on a Pakistani website is also linked with the need to correct some misconceptions/prejudices nursed by Pakistanis, and educate and inform the majority of Pakistanis who nurse some strange notions that are completely divorced from the geopolitical and strategic realities of their neighbourhood. The madrassa-educated Pakistanis, I hope, also read the comments by Indians on such websites. This will enable the former to see themselves in the mirror held by Indians. By the way, there are also many Pakistanis who visit Indian media websites -- however, unlike the Indian guests who may criticize Pakistan(is) but retain a sense of human decorum, the Pakistani trolls tend to hurl abusive and totally uncalled for invectives, leaving behind a poor image of Pakistan and Pakistanis. I trust this will explain why Indians, who are by nature IT savvy, visit Pakistani and also many international websites.
This shows the love of peace by Indians. Moreover, the people who say that India does not have poverty are greatly mistaken, half of your population lives below poverty line and you say that you don't have poverty. Good luck feeding arms to your nation. Import all the arms in the world, you would still not be able to harm pakistan! Desperate Indians.
@Faisal: Well if it is a Pakistani website, why don't you guys restrict it to Pakistan only? By the way, I guess you don't use Google or Yahoo or facebook or twitter since they are American websites, do you?
@ All Indians out here: You are so pathetic and insecure that you have to come to a Pakistani website and try to justify or prove something about your beloved country. You are only demeaning yourselves in the way of deriving some strange form of pleasure. Get a life!
Why don't you go to your "own" newspapers and comment on your "own" commentators who question the rationale of your "own" arms purchases.
@arjmand: there are only 21% population under poverty line in india acco to 2012 report which going to be under 5% by 2020:IMF & world bank! India reduced poverty fastest just after China!
Funny. I smell a lot of burning musharraf's from across the border.
Pakistanis live in a delusional world which is pretty much evident from their comments here. They think India is war crazy and simply turned a blind eye for all these wars that Pakistan initiated and lost with India. It was China that attacked India in 1962 and not the other way around. But what can we do about these Pakistanis who think MBQ laid the foundation of Pakistan? Pakistani also have this delusion that India's military purchase are Pakistan specific while they keep ignoring that we have a bigger issue in form of China where communist party of China has expansionist mindset.India needs a parity with them and need these capabilities to secure its borders. Someone commented on Indians for going to select "Hindu Fanatic" as PM. This is a funny comment coming from the people of a country where every ruler was nothing but a Muslim Fanatic.
I am so touched by the Pakistani's concern about our poor and sanitary hygiene. I would suggest that they start putting up collection boxes on every street corner in Pakistan. Please donate generously.
We are now more powerful than pakistan
@Kamran Khan: Modi will come and is none of your busuness !
@kamran khan cricket is match, an form of entertainment. Producing fast bowlers is not our country's focus. BCCI's is, go ask them. Our focus is on our economy and development. Ever heard of our IIT,IIM education? IT,Space research isro,business achievements?. "Produce fanatic like modi', even if he's fanatic he's never terrorised your country cities. Can the same be sed about your fanatics?mumbai,parliament ring any bells? @malik this is not war craziness. Every weapon,machinery has its shelf life. The obsolete machine are being replaced by new modern ones,military modernisation is going on is going on large scale. Unlike you we face two war front from both east west. china's budget is growing. It's called "self defence and military up-gradation to us prepared for any challenge" not war mentality.
@abdul that's what why whine then? Pakistan has nuclear weapons why is it increasing its budget vis via india? And then blame us? How we spend our money is our business.
@arjmand u are wrong people under poverty line 21.9 percent 2012-13. http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/27-crore-people-live-below-poverty-line-in-india/1/304392.html We have food security bills,best of schemes for poor. Money is not the issue we spend billions every year on welfare.Even if you pump whole defence budget into welfare unless corruption laws amended it still wont reach poor. money allotted for defence has nothing to do with money allotted to welfare departments that infests with corruption. When you live in a space where u are constantly under attack you are bound to take self preserving measures. Call what u want security and safety of our country is our first priority. ET plz be fair and publish this comment.
Be interesting to know how much of this increase was due to replacing old/antiquated aircraft etc with modern versions as compared with actually increasing quantity?
@ARJMAND.... At least we were never ruled by dictators any time like you were. And you still have the temerity to call indian army hawkish. Wishful thinking. Keep praying.....
@Kamran Khan:
And thus spoke the wise one who turned a blind eye to the latest destruction and desecration of a Hindu temple in Sindh. Can you do something about your socalled blasphemy law which is ridiculed by the entire world as a big joke? And then, Sir, you can utter your invectives on Hindus and other religions. A bankrupt state that was created on the basis of religion cannot last very long -- it is against the norms of civilization! No wonder you are being grouped with other rogue nations such as Somalia, North Korea and the less fortunate ones. No wonder also that Pakistani ministers are usually seen in many capitals of the world as arriving with a begging bowl. Ask Bangladeshis what they think about their erstwhile "motherland" and they will tell you horror stories.
@Kamran Khan: The fastest bowlers in b continent is Umesh Yadav followed by Aaron Varun. I hope you know speed o your trundlers. Also can pakistan ever produce a wrestler? I mean ever?
@arjmand: yes India has military dictator running its govt for half its history.......That coming from richie rich Pakistanis running on foreign aid and IMF loans........
What an Irony, nearly 55% of the total Indian population lives under the poverty line. But India ranks top in Arms import. It shows the hawkish Indian military adventurist moves.
What is the use of spending so much. We will not fear india because we have nuclear bums.
@pakistanis we buy weapons by paying money and not receive it as a charity like how you receive it from united states of america.
From the beginning India has a policy of conflicts with its neighbors. In 1962 it had a war with China, in 1971 gave training and funding to Mukti Bahini and later gave weapons and training to Tamil Tigers to fight Sri Lanka. Although killing of Indira and Rajiv Gandhi has changed its policy of supporting militants, it is still in border disputes with China, Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan. In this background, it is investing heavily to modernize its armed forces but at the cost of welfare of poor people.
Why not?in one side we have Muhammedans and the other side we have maoists.And in between, we have the land of the Hindus(it doesnt change) and we would love to keep it that way.Bharat Mata.
This shows the war craziness of India. if this money would spent on the poor peoples, the picture could have been different. Pakistan also have to buy arms to keep tha balance of power in the area.
neither they can produce fast bowlers nor arms for themselves. The thing they sepcialize in producing is fanatic hindu terrorists like Modi who they are going to make their prime minister
and that gives us more reason to ignore unimportant sectors like Health, Education, Infrastructure development, and keep giving our budget to the defence sector, so that the security situation remains as perfect as it is. Brilliant !!
When economies collapse these weapons will be used on the same taxpayers who funded it, completes the full circle.