SIPRI Report 2026: Ukraine is largest Arms Importer in the World, Check the India’s Rank

SIPRI Report 2026 highlights a significant shift in international weapon transfers. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Ukraine becomes the largest arms importer in the world for the 2021–2025 period with a 210% surge in European arms imports which is driven by an unprecedented surge in military aid and procurement amidst ongoing regional conflict.

SIPRI Report 2026: Key Highlights

• The United States supplied 42 per cent of all international arms transfers in 2021–25, up from 36 per cent in 2016–20. The USA exported arms to 99 states in 2021–25, including 35 states in Europe, Americas, Africa, 17 in Asia and Oceania and the Middle East.
• Europe emerged as largest arms importer of the world with 33 per cent of global arms imports, with the region’s imports increasing by 210 per cent between 2016–20 and 2021–25.
• Asia and Oceania is second largest share of arms in 2021–25. This was despite a 20 per cent drop in volume compared with 2016–20. Four states in Asia and Oceania ranked among the 10 largest arms importers globally in 2021–25: India, Pakistan, Japan and Australia.
• India remains the second largest arms importer in the world by accounting for 8.2% share of total global imports while India continues to hold a top position to address a "two-front" security challenge from China and Pakistan.
• The report also highlights a pivotal 4% decline in India’s total imports compared to the previous five-year, marks a strategic move toward Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliance) and a rapid diversification away from traditional Russian arms imports in favor of Western partners like France and the USA.

Top 5 Global Arms Importers (2021–2025)

India’s Rank in the SIPRI Report 2026: 

According to the SIPRI report 2026 for the period of 2021–2025, India accounted for 8.2% of total global arms imports. The report also highlights a significant 4% decline in India’s total imports compared to the previous five-year block (2016–2020). The key highlights of the report in 2026 report is the diversification of India’s suppliers while Russia remains India’s top partner: 

• Russia: Share dropped to 40% (2016–20 51%) and 70% (2011–15)

• France: Emerged as the second-largest supplier (29%), bolstered by the 2025 Rafale-Marine deal.

• Israel: Holds the third spot (15%) with a focus on drones and missile systems.

• USA: Continues to grow as a strategic partner, particularly in aero-engines and high-tech surveillance.

Why is India Still a Leading Importer?

Despite the push for indigenous manufacturing, India's high import volume is driven by two primary factors:

• Two-Front Threat: Persistent border tensions with China along the LAC and the brief military confrontation with Pakistan in May 2025 (Operation Sindoor) have necessitated emergency procurements.

• Modernization:  The Indian Armed Forces are in the midst of a massive technological upgrade, requiring advanced fighter jets and submarines that domestic industry is still scaling up to produce.

Impact of Domestic Production and  "Atmanirbhar Bharat"

The SIPRI report credits the 4% dip in India's arms imports due to its growing dependency in domestic production under the Atmanirbhar Bharat to design and produce weapons indigenously like production of  the 6th Scorpène-class submarine and the progress of the Tejas Mk1A program are cited as milestones.

However, SIPRI researchers note that "planned orders for 140 combat aircraft from France and 6 submarines from Germany" suggest that India will remain a major importer for at least another decade.

Ukraine’s rise to largest (9.7% share) importer is a direct result of military aid and procurement following the 2022 invasion since then, at least 36 countries have supplied major arms to Kyiv, with the US (41%) and Germany (14%) leading the shipments. Consequently, Europe has become the world's largest regional importer for the first time since the 1960s.

The SIPRI Report 2026 paints a picture of an India in transition. While it remains a top-tier importer due to regional volatility and the "China factor," the steady decline in Russian reliance and the slow but sure rise of domestic manufacturing mark a new era for Indian defense.

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