By Akanksha
March 13, 2026
India emerged as the world’s second-largest arms importer during 2021–25, according to a report by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
Ukraine became the world’s biggest arms importer in 2021–25, accounting for 9.7% of global arms transfers during the period, the SIPRI report said.
China dropped out of the top 10 arms importers for the first time since 1991–95 as expanded domestic defence production reduced reliance on foreign weapons.
The United States supplied 42% of global arms transfers in 2021–25, rising from 36% in 2016–20 and reinforcing its position as the world’s leading arms exporter.
Four countries in Asia and Oceania—India, Pakistan, Japan and Australia—featured among the world’s 10 largest arms importers between 2021 and 2025.
The US supplied 35% of arms imported by Asia and Oceania in 2021–25, followed by Russia at 17% and China at 14%, according to SIPRI data.
India remained the world’s second-largest arms importer, though its overall imports fell slightly by about 4% between 2016–20 and 2021–25.
Russia supplied 40% of India’s arms imports in 2021–25, declining from 51% in 2016–20 and sharply lower than the 70% share recorded in 2011–15.
While Russia remains India’s main defence supplier, the country is increasingly sourcing military hardware from Western partners.
Pakistan’s arms imports rose 66% between 2016–20 and 2021–25, with China supplying 80% of its imports, up from 73% in the previous period.
Global arms transfers grew 9.2% between 2016–20 and 2021–25, driven partly by Europe tripling imports and a 217% surge in US arms exports to the region.