India is second in the world in terms of arms imports between 2015-2019: Saudi ranks first

New delhi date. March 9, 2020, Monday

India retained its second position in the world in terms of arms procurement and imports between 2015 and 2019. Russia was the largest country selling arms to India.

However, India's imports of Russian weapons dropped from 72 percent to 56 percent, a thinktank study on weapons trafficking said in its report.

In its annual report issued today by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, it said: "Saudi Arabia was at the forefront of the largest arms buyers in five years while India was second.

Next up were Egypt, Australia and China. All these countries together make up 36% of the total imports of weapons they purchase. Saudi Arabia, India and China were also among the top five importers between 2010 and 2014, while Pakistan was ranked eleventh.

India has modernized its security forces in recent years, including jets, helicopters, submarines, warships, artillery guns and assault rifles that were imported from countries such as Russia, the United States and Israel.

According to the organization's 2015-2019 data, India purchased a number of Army equipment from different countries, including a Scanter 6000 from Denmark, a sonar system from Germany, a 76mm naval gun from Italy and a 155mm artillery gun from South Korea.

India ranks 25th among the world's largest arms exporters. India had sold weapons to Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Mauritius. According to the report, India's imports of weapons dropped from the US and Russia during the five years.

India accounted for 25% of Russia's total arms exports. 'Russia was the largest country to supply arms to India between 2020 and 2014, but the total exports to India dropped from 72% to 56%.