Russian arms-exports to India fell by 42% between 2014-18, 2009-13
Russia's arms export to India fell by a whopping 42% between 2014-18 and 2009-2013, according to a new report. As a result, Russia accounted for 58% of total Indian arms imports in 2014-2018, compared with 76% in 2009-2013, according to the recent report "Trends in International Arms Transfers, 2018" released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Here's more.
India's import decline also due to delays in arms deliveries
In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's effort to reduce country's dependence on foreign arms, India's import of arms decreased by 24% between 2009-2013 and 2014-2018, according to the figures released by the report. This decline in India's import is also partly due to delays in deliveries of arms produced under license from foreign suppliers, such as combat aircraft ordered from Russia in 2001.
Pakistan's arms imports decreased by 39% between 2009-13, 2014-18
However, India was still the world's second largest importer of major arms in 2014-18 and accounted for 9.5% of the global total. Israel, the US, and France, all increased their arms exports to India in 2014-18. Meanwhile, Pakistan's arms imports decreased by 39% between 2009-13 and 2014-18. The US has also become increasingly reluctant to provide military aid or sell arms to Pakistan.
US arms exports to Pakistan fell by 81%, said report
According to the report, the US arms exports to Pakistan fell by 81% between 2009-13 and 2014-18. Pakistan has instead turned to other suppliers. For example, in 2018 it ordered 4 frigates and 30 combat helicopters from Turkey, it added.
Five major arms exporters are US, Russia, France, Germany, China
The decrease in India's arms import is significant given that the volume of international transfers of major arms in 2014-18 was 7.8% higher than in 2009-13 and 23% higher than in 2004-2008. The five largest arms exporters in 2014-18 were the United States, Russia, France, Germany, and China whereas the five largest importers were Saudi Arabia, India, Egypt, Australia, and Algeria.
US global-exports grew from 30% to 36% between 2009-13, 2014-18
The US was the top arms exporter in 2014-18 and 2009-13. Its exports of major arms grew by 29% between the two periods and its share of total global exports rose from 30% to 36%, said the report. As a result, the gap between the US and Russia, the second largest exporter of arms, continued to widen, it stated.
India, Venezuela among the main recipients of Russian arms exports
In 2009-13, US exports of major arms were 12% higher than those of Russia, whereas, in 2014-18, they were 75% higher. Between the same periods, Russian exports decreased by 17%. The fall was partly due to general reductions in Indian and Venezuelan arms imports, the two countries that have been among the main recipients of Russian arms exports in previous years, the SIPRI said.
Export to Venezuela fell by 96% between the two periods
"Although India remained the chief recipient of Russian arms in 2014-18, Russian exports to India fell by 42% between 2014-18 and 2009-13. Exports to Venezuela, which was the fifth largest recipient of Russian arms in 2009-13, decreased by 96% between the two periods," report said.
