adminThat compared with 19 percent for Europe, 17 percent for the Middle East, 11 percent for North and South America, and 9 percent for Africa, said the report.
India was the biggest arms importer in the period covered, 2007-11, accounting for 10 percent in weapons volume.
It was followed by South Korea (6 percent), China and Pakistan (both 5 percent), and Singapore (4 percent), according to the independent institute which specialises in arms control and disarmament matters.
These five countries accounted for almost a third, 30 percent, of the volume of international arms imports, said SIPRI.
“India’s imports of major weapons increased by 38 percent between 2002-06 and 2007-11,” SIPRI said.
“Notable deliveries of combat aircraft during 2007-11 included 120 Su-30MKs and 16 MiG-29Ks from Russia and 20 Jaguar Ss from the United Kingdom,” it said.
While India was the world’s largest importer, its neighbour and sometime foe Pakistan was the third largest.
Pakistan took delivery of “a significant quantity of combat aircraft during this period: 50 JF-17s from China and 30 F-16s,” the report added.
Both countries “have taken and will continue to take delivery of large quantities of tanks”, it also noted.
China, which in 2006 and 2007 was the world’s top arms importer, has now dropped to fourth place. — AFP.
Online Reporter