SIPRI Report Flashcards
NEWS
According to Stockholm International Peace Research Institute’s (SIPRI) Trends in International Arms Transfers 2022 report, India remained the world’s largest arms importer from 2018 to 2022 followed by Saudi Arabia and Ukraine.
Recently, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) Yearbook 2023 revealed that China could potentially have as many Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) as U.S. or Russia by the end of the decade.
Russia has the highest number of stored nuclear arsenals followed by US and China while the US has deployed the highest number of nuclear arsenals followed by Russia and France.
hat SIPRI Reveal About Nuclear Arsenals?
Global Nuclear Arsenals:
Modernization and Expansion:
The nine nuclear-armed states, including the United States, Russia, and China, continue to modernize and expand their nuclear arsenals, deploying new nuclear-armed or nuclear-capable weapon systems in 2022.
Other nuclear-armed countries are UK, France, India, Pakistan, the North Korea and Israel
Total Global Inventory:
As of January 2023, the total global inventory of warheads is estimated at 12,512, with approximately 9,576 warheads held in military stockpiles for potential use.
Dominance of Russia and U.S.:
90% of all Nuclear Weapons:
Russia and the United States possess almost 90% of all nuclear weapons, with relatively stable sizes of their respective nuclear arsenals.
Arms Control Concerns:
Transparency and dialogue regarding nuclear forces declined between Russia and the United States following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The suspension of the strategic stability dialogue and the Treaty on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (New START) has halted discussions for a follow-on treaty.
New START Limits Maintained:
Despite the strained relations, both Russia and the United States remained within the limits set by New START for their deployed strategic nuclear forces as of January 2023, according to SIPRI’s assessment.
India’s Nuclear Arsenal:
Growth in Arsenal:
India’s nuclear arsenal also expanded, increasing from 160 warheads in 2022 to 164 warheads in 2023 and that of Pakistan from 165 to 170 in the same period.
Focus on Longer-Range Weapons:
India’s nuclear deterrent, while primarily focused on Pakistan, is placing growing emphasis on longer-range weapons capable of reaching targets across China.
Upgrading Ballistic Missiles:
India is in the process of upgrading its ballistic missiles, with the development of a submarine-launched intermediate-range ballistic missile and the imminent induction of a new generation ballistic missile called ‘Agni Prime.’
China’s Nuclear Arsenal:
Increased Size:
China’s nuclear arsenal grew from 350 warheads in January 2022 to 410 warheads in January 2023, according to the SIPRI.
Concerns About Expansion:
The significant expansion of China’s nuclear arsenal raises concerns as it contradicts China’s stated goal of maintaining minimum nuclear forces for national security.
hat are the Key Highlights of the Report?
Global Arms Transfer:
While the global level of international arms transfers decreased by 5.1%, imports of major arms by European states increased by 47% between 2013–17 and 2018–22 in the backdrop of the war in Ukraine.
The U.S. share of global arms exports increased from 33% to 40% while Russia’s fell from 22% to 16%.
Arms imports by Pakistan increased by 14% between 2013–17 and 2018–22 and accounted for 3.7% of the global total with China supplying 77% of Pakistan’s arms imports in 2018–22.
India’s Arms Import Outlook:
With an 11% share of total global arms imports, India was the world’s biggest importer of major arms in 2018–22, a position it has held for the period 1993–2022.
India remained the top importer despite an 11% drop in its arms import between 2013-17 and 2018-22.
Arms Suppliers to India:
Russia was India’s largest arms supplier in the periods between 2013-17 and 2018-22, but its share of arms imports to India fell from 64% to 45% while France emerged as the second-largest arms supplier to India between 2018-22 at 29%, followed by the US at 11%.
Russia’s position as India’s main arms supplier is under pressure owing to strong competition from other supplier states, increased Indian arms production, and, since 2022, constraints on Russia’s arms exports related to its invasion of Ukraine.
India also imported arms during this five-year period from Israel, South Korea, and South Africa which are among the top arms exporters globally.
Factors Driving Arm Imports:
India’s tensions with Pakistan and China largely drive its demand for arms imports.
Reason for Drop in Arm Imports:
The drop in arms imports can be attributed to several factors including India’s slow and complex arms procurement process, and efforts to diversify its arms suppliers, among others.
Arm Supply from India:
India was the third-largest arms supplier to Myanmar during this period after Russia and China and comprised 14% of its imports.
77% of Pakistan’s arms supply in 2018-22 came from China.
What is SIPRI?
It is an independent international institute dedicated to research into conflict, armaments, arms control and disarmament.
It was established in 1966 in Stockholm (Sweden).
It provides data, analysis and recommendations, based on open sources, to policymakers, researchers, media and the interested public.
