A new report from the SIPRI revealed that some Asian and Oceanian nations were increasing their weapon acquisition in the last five years. India, Japan, and Australia are increasing their weapons as apprehension on China’s aspirations are growing.
Weapons Import: India, a leading importer
A new report by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), revealed that the top ten weapons importer were from Asia and Oceania. The report is a detailed comparison of global weapons transactions between 2013 to 2021 and 2013 to 2016. As per the analysis, India was the leading weapons importer in the world, accounting for 11 percent of imports. However, imports into the region fell by 4.7 percent showing the disparity in the region. “India was the world’s largest importer of weapons in 2017-2021. Five other countries, including Australia, China, South Korea, Pakistan, and Japan, were among the top ten buyers of arms,” stated the report.
“Tensions between China and many states in Asia and Oceania are the main driver of arms imports in the region,” stated Siemon T. Wezeman. Wezeman is a senior researcher at the SIPRI Arms Transfers Programme. “These tensions are also a major factor in US arms transfers to the region. The USA remains the largest supplier to Asia and Oceania, as arms exports are an important element of US foreign policy aimed at China,” he added.
Europe is the main focus for exporters
On the other hand, the report also shows that the arms purchase increased by 19 percent. The rise is the biggest in the region. Wezeman, the author of the study believes that this is a “worrying arms build-up”. Ian Anthony, the program director for European Security at SIPRI believes that NATO allies are committing to “reverse the trend of declining defense budgets”. “What you see reflected in the numbers now is largely a consequence of implementing that decision,” he said.
Additionally, the weapons sales by Russia were reduced by 26 percent. Russia is the second-largest arms exporter in the world, following the US. “The marked deterioration in relations between most European states and Russia was an important driver of growth in European arms imports,” stated Wezeman. The US was the main supplier for European nations, especially for combat aircraft. “There is no single weapons system that will determine the outcome of the current war. Russia’s focus on siege warfare, the use of heavy artillery, and inaccurate bombardment from the air is a reminder that any talk of new technologies being decisive on a battlefield must be treated with caution,” added Anthony.