India Remains Top Global Arms Importer, Raising Concerns: Defence Analyst

India's continued status as the world's top arms importer poses a complex paradox for the nation's defense ambitions, according to C Uday Bhaskar, Director of the Society for Policy Studies. He highlighted the disconnect between India's recent technological achievements and its reliance on foreign arms imports.

While the nation celebrates the successful Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicle (MIRV) test, the latest Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) report reveals a 4.7 percent increase in India's arms imports between 2014-18 and 2019-23.

This underscores findings from SIPRI's 2023 report, which highlighted India's dominance as the top global arms importer. India accounted for a staggering 11 percent of total arms imports between 2018-2022, a position it has sadly maintained since 1993.

These revelations stand in stark contrast to the Indian government's narrative of self-reliance in defence production. Statements by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and others about India's progress toward self-sufficiency and its potential as an arms exporter don't align with the SIPRI data.

So, why does India excel in specific technological areas, such as its missile program, while lagging in broader conventional arms manufacturing? While some progress is visible in areas like surveillance and communication equipment, the overall track record of the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) remains mixed.

This suggests that India's defence challenges are multifaceted. Specific achievements can't fully mask the broader reliance on foreign arms imports. India must invest strategically in R&D, streamline domestic manufacturing, and actively promote innovation in the defense sector.

While India has every reason to celebrate its technological successes, it cannot afford to turn a blind eye to the reality of its import dependence. True self-reliance will require consistent effort and a critical reassessment of India's evolving defense strategy.

 

[Hari Sud]

These are not direct import of guns or weapons for direct attack or defence. These are supporting items, spare parts, and many other items.

 

[Frank]

Atmanirbharta is a joke...

Adani ambani TAta manihndra only getting TOT and screw driving is not Atmanirbhar...

They buy all parts from OEM and just screw driver it in india

 

[Superpower Bharat]

These are not direct import of guns or weapons for direct attack or defence. These are supporting items, spare parts, and many other items.

So we need to stop that... Also.. this is because no R&D in pvt sector... This copy cat teams will ruin India's goal in long term

 

[NSR]

It is really very sad to know that about armaments imports even after 75 years of independence.
Even less advanced countries are doing better.

On the other hand, India is in much better shape after 2014 for sure.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

So we need to stop that... Also.. this is because no R&D in pvt sector... This copy cat teams will ruin India's goal in long term

Many pvt companies are just importing subsystems and relabeling them.

 

[Sudha]

Atmanirbharta is a joke...

Adani ambani TAta manihndra only getting TOT and screw driving is not Atmanirbhar...

They buy all parts from OEM and just screw driver it in india

Emergency purchases, new tech will increase imports. Self reliance does not come with a switching on of a button. It takes 3-5 years for the production to start after approval from the military. But some of the comments made by guys here are indeed a joke.

 

[Sudha]

So we need to stop that... Also.. this is because no R&D in pvt sector... This copy cat teams will ruin India's goal in long term

Copycat team? Even after 75 years of production many DPSUs are still copycat teams. Moreover for R&D & infra of DPSUs GOI funds them unlike the private sector who have to spend huge sums of money without even orders from the government. So instead going gung ho while criticising why not chip in & you do some R&D?

 

[Sudha]

Many pvt companies are just importing subsystems and relabeling them.

Why not you do R&D & bring it to market? For DPSUs GOI is funding everything & you happily agree with it. Private sector is for profit & not losses on non existent orders.

 

[Sandeep]

India has cut down on a lot of imports and have increased our indigenous weapons, equipment, platforms and technology. Most of the imports are spent on maintaining, sustaining foreign products, spares, parts or extending the life service etc which can't be done indigenously and none of what we develop will be compatible with that foreign weapon which hinders our indigenous progress.

Another reason why the imports are high is because of the threat we faced against China and Pakistan so we had to make a lot of emergency foreign imports because we had to make sure we were ready for a war. The number of imports will start to decline now because we have filled that critical void.

 

[Tls Mani]

India has history of bribe taking for purchasing arms for defence. Politicians & bureaucrats favor only foreign arms for handsome commission from agents & middlemen

 

[Superpower Bharat]

Copycat team? Even after 75 years of production many DPSUs are still copycat teams. Moreover for R&D & infra of DPSUs GOI funds them unlike the private sector who have to spend huge sums of money without even orders from the government. So instead going gung ho while criticising why not chip in & you do some R&D?

I am quite satisfy with DRDO. I am paying tax for DRDO. But in the name of 'Make in India' what this copy cat team is doing is really frustrating.. GOI is willing to pay. And through various initiatives they are paying to this copy cat team but except some small startups the big name are not coming ups.. Just tell me why SPV model failed for AMCA ...?? And for your information DRDO start project after receiving requirements from the forces. FRCV and FICV GOI is funding lets see who came up with there own Model or promoting a foreign MAL...

 

[Varaaah]

Indians do not want to invest in Indian companies. They don't want to invest e.g. in building new universities. They rather pay 10 times the money to send their child to a foreign University than to invest a tenth of that amount in a university to be set up.
They need white mens rubber stamp also. Perhaps the most.

 

[Pink Panther]

These are not direct import of guns or weapons for direct attack or defence. These are supporting items, spare parts, and many other items.

Kill IAF personal’s desire for Rafale watches and Stop publishing Rafale picture in every article, this will fix it.

 

[kumar]

Sometimes it's necessary to import. For eg now we are in urgent need of 5th gen fighters as China claims to have it. So,we have to import 5th generation fighters immediately.

 

[BCharlie]

Sometimes it's necessary to import. For eg now we are in urgent need of 5th gen fighters as China claims to have it. So,we have to import 5th generation fighters immediately.

I thought we all agreed that China does not have 5th gen fighters .. its all a rhetoric that they have..