Ukraine overtook India in this matter, SIPRI’s new report shocked the world; Russia’s tension will increase
Ukraine, which is embroiled in a long war with Russia, was the world’s largest importer of arms during the year 2020-24. Ukraine’s imports increased almost 100 times compared to the figures of the year 2015-19. This has been revealed in a new report by the Independent Global Think Tank- Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
India’s imports decreased
According to the report, India was the second largest importer of arms during this period (2020-24). The large amount of arms imports reflect ‘perceived threats from both China and Pakistan’. However, India’s imports decreased by 9.3 percent between the years 2015-19 and 2020-24.
European countries’ arms imports increased by 155 percent
The report said that European countries’ arms imports increased by 155 percent between the same periods, as many countries stood with Ukraine in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and uncertainty over the future of US foreign policy.
According to new data on international arms transfers published by SIPRI on Monday, the US increased its share of global arms exports to 43 percent, while Russia’s exports fell by 64 percent.
35 countries sent weapons to Ukraine
The Ukraine-Russia war began in February 2022 and efforts are currently being made by some countries to resolve it and bring lasting peace to the region. At least 35 countries sent weapons to Ukraine after the war began.
“Ukraine became the world’s largest importer of major weapons in the period 2020-24,” SIPRI said in a statement. Its imports increased almost 100 times compared to 2015-19.” Ukraine received 8.8 percent of global arms imports in 2020-24.
