Introduction
India has emerged as the world’s second largest importer of major weapons, according to the latest analysis by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). With an 8.2 percent share of total global arms imports between 2021 and 2025, India ranks just behind war‑torn Ukraine, which leads with a 9.7 percent share of the global arms market. This shift in ranking reflects significant changes in India’s defence procurement strategy, driven by evolving security priorities, diversification of international suppliers, and efforts to enhance domestic defence production capabilities.
India’s Position in Global Arms Imports
According to SIPRI’s Trends in International Arms Transfers, 2025 report, India’s share of global weapons imports has remained substantial, placing it second in the world. This ranking highlights India’s continued focus on modernizing its armed forces in response to complex regional security dynamics, especially in the context of tensions with neighbouring countries.
Between 2019–2023, India held the top position with nearly 9.8 percent of global arms imports, but the latest assessment shows that its share has declined slightly to about 8.2 percent. While this decrease signals progress in indigenization efforts, India still relies on foreign procurement to meet critical defence needs.
Shifting Supplier Landscape
The SIPRI data reveals a notable diversification of India’s defense suppliers over the past decade. Historically reliant on Russia for the majority of its military hardware, India’s procurement pattern is evolving:
- Russia continues to remain the largest supplier, accounting for approximately 40 percent of India’s arms imports during 2021–2025.
- France has emerged as the second‑largest supplier, with around 29 percent of India’s imports — driven in part by major deals such as the acquisition of Rafale fighter jets.
- Israel retains a significant position, contributing about 15 percent to India’s total arms import mix.
This shift reflects India’s strategic intent to diversify away from over‑dependence on a single supplier, while leveraging new partnerships to acquire advanced technologies.
Drivers of Arms Imports
India’s arms procurement patterns are shaped by an array of strategic and geopolitical factors:
- Regional security threats, including military tensions with China and Pakistan, drive sustained demand for advanced defence equipment.
- Geopolitical shifts have encouraged India to broaden its supplier base beyond Russia to include Western nations and technology partners.
- Modernization needs, such as upgrading combat aircraft, naval vessels, missile systems, and surveillance platforms, necessitate foreign procurement while domestic capabilities are scaled up.
The SIPRI report also notes that India’s overall arms imports declined by about 4 percent between the preceding five‑year period (2016–2020) and 2021–2025. This trend is partly attributed to the country’s growing ability to design and manufacture indigenous defence systems, though delays in domestic production still challenge self‑sufficiency efforts.
Domestic Defence Production and Indigenous Initiatives
Despite maintaining a top‑tier global position in arms imports, India’s push towards self‑reliance under initiatives like Atmanirbhar Bharat is gradually influencing procurement trends. Investments in domestic defence production and technology partnerships aim to reduce dependency on foreign weapons while enhancing India’s long‑term strategic autonomy.
Key indigenous defence manufacturing players, from government agencies to private sector firms, are working on advanced platforms ranging from aircraft and artillery systems to unmanned technologies. As these capabilities mature, analysts expect a tighter balance between imports and homegrown production in the coming decade.
Geopolitical Implications
India’s status as the world’s second‑largest arms importer has broader geopolitical implications:
- It underscores New Delhi’s response to evolving security challenges in South Asia and beyond.
- Diversified procurement strengthens diplomatic and defence cooperation with a wider array of partner nations.
- Sustained imports reflect ongoing modernization needs that cannot yet be fully met by domestic production alone.
Conclusion
The latest SIPRI report places India firmly among the world’s leading arms importers, with an 8.2 percent share of total global imports between 2021 and 2025. While the country continues to source advanced defence equipment from traditional and new partners, its commitment to boosting indigenous production is gradually reshaping procurement patterns. Amid complex security environments and strategic imperatives, India’s defence import profile offers critical insights into its evolving approach to national and regional security.
