March 16, 2020 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security
India Increasingly Diversifying Its Arms, Weapons Purchases
India was the world's second-largest importer of arms and weapons during 2015-2019, according to a report from Swedish-based think tank Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, or SIPRI. Saudi Arabia ranked as the top arms importer. Saudi Arabia, India, Egypt, Australia and China accounted for 36% of all arms imports over that five-year period. However, while Russia remained India's most important source of arms, Moscow's share of the Indian weapons market has dropped from 72% to 56% since the 2010-2014 period. Still, India accounted for 25% of all Russian arms exports. After Russia, Israel (14%) and France (12%) were the top sources of weapons for India. The U.S. was India's second-largest arms supplier during 2010-14 as security ties between the two huge countries grew into a strategic partnership. “However, in 2015-19 India continued with its policy of supplier diversification, and imports of arms from the U.S. were 51 % lower than in 2010-14," the report said. India has received a bewildering and diverse array of military equipment from many sources, including Scanter-6000 naval surveillance radar from Denmark; Embraer ERJ-145 jets for early warning and control system from Brazil; ACTAS sonar systems from Germany; Super Rapid 76-mm naval guns from Italy; and K-9 Thunder 155- mm artillery guns from South Korea. Still, overall arms imports by India and Pakistan declined by 32% and 39%, respectively, between 2010-14 and 2015-19. "While both countries have long-standing aims to produce their [own] major arms, they remain largely dependent on imports and have substantial outstanding orders and plans for imports of all types of major arms," the SPIRI report said. https://www.ibtimes.com/india-increasingly-diversifying-its-arms-weapons-purchases-2939839