Largest arms importers

Why in news?

• India is the second largest arms importer in India as per a a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

Findings of the report:

• Worldwide major arms exports have increased on growing demand from countries in conflict, with top exporter being United States above Russia.
• Over five years from 2015 to 2019, international arms exports grew by 5.5 per cent from the 2010-2014 period.
• Saudi Arabia accounted for 11pc of global imports followed by India (at 9.5pc) , Egypt, Australia and China.
• India was the second-largest arms importer in the world over the past five years, with its neighbour Pakistan ranking 11th.
• However, quantitiatively,  arms imports to India decreased by 32 per cent, and imports by Pakistan fell 39 per cent.
• With Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Mauritius as main clients, India now ranks 23rd in the exporter list, a slight increase from earlier.
• Exports of French arms saw one of the most dramatic increases—up 72 per cent from the five previous years—putting France ahead of Germany as the third largest exporter in the world, with 7.9 per cent of global exports.
• Over half of France's arms exports were to Egypt, Qatar and India, with deliveries of the Rafale combat aircraft to these countries accounting for nearly a quarter of total French exports.

Prelims Question

Consider the following statements:
1.India is the largest importer of arms in the world.
2.USA is the largest exporter of arms in the world.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a)1 only
(b)2 only
(c)Both 1 and 2
(d)Neither 1 nor 2

Answer to the Prelims Question