India’s weapon imports fell by 33% in last five years: SIPRI

Between 2011-15 and 2016-20, India's arms imports declined by 33 per cent and Russia was the worst affected. The information has been revealed in a report released on Monday by Stockholm's defense think tank (SIPRI).

The report noted that Indian arms imports have declined as part of the country's complex procurement process and efforts to reduce dependence on Russian weapons. 

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In the last few years, India has taken several measures to boost the domestic defense industry to reduce dependence on imports of military equipment. 

In response to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Defense Shripad Naik said that about Rs 1.99 lakh crore has been approved between 2018-19 and 2020-21 to boost domestic defense production.

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The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) report said, "India's arms imports declined by 33 per cent between 2011-15 and 2016-20. Russia was the most affected supplier, although imports of arms from India to the US also declined by 46 per cent.

The government is focusing on boosting domestic defense production and has targeted a defense business of Rs 1.75 lakh crore by 2025. Sipri's report says that both Russia and China have reduced their arms exports. 

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According to the report, arms exports by China decreased by 7.8 percent during 2016-20. Pakistan, Bangladesh and Algeria were the major buyers of Chinese arms.

Sipri said that the US is the largest exporter of arms and its arms exports grew from 32 per cent to 37 per cent during 2011-15 and 2016-20.

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