A recent report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) indicates that Pakistan has significantly increased its arms imports from China, with approximately 80 percent of its military hardware now originating from Beijing.

The report outlines that Pakistan ranked as the fifth largest global recipient of major arms between 2021 and 2025, a notable rise from its previous position as the tenth largest from 2016 to 2020. The increase in Pakistan’s arms imports stands at 66 percent over this time span, which constitutes 4.2 percent of the total global arms trade.

China’s Dominance in Pakistan’s Arms Imports

China has solidified its position as the primary supplier of arms to Pakistan. According to the SIPRI findings, the proportion of imported weapons supplied by China rose from 73 percent during 2016-2020 to 80 percent in the following period. Notably, while China exported major arms to 47 different countries, a substantial 61 percent of its overall arms exports were directed to Pakistan alone. This strong reliance on China for military supplies reflects broader geopolitical trends in the region.

India’s Position as Second Largest Arms Importer

During the same timeframe, India was identified as the second largest arms importer globally, holding an 8.2 percent share of all major arms imports. The report attributes India’s continued high demand for imports to ongoing tensions with both China and Pakistan, which have historically led to conflict. A brief border clash between India and Pakistan occurred in May 2025, where both nations utilized foreign-sourced military equipment.

Decline in India’s Arms Imports Amid Domestic Production Growth

The SIPRI report highlights a slight decline of 4.0 percent in India’s arms imports from 2016-2020 to 2021-2025. This decrease is partially tied to India’s increasing capabilities in designing and manufacturing its own military equipment, although challenges related to delays in domestic production remain. Despite advancements, India continues to depend heavily on international suppliers for critical defense systems.

Shift in India’s Arms Procurement Preferences

In recent years, India has adjusted its procurement strategy away from traditional reliance on Russian military technology towards suppliers in the West, particularly France, Israel, and the United States. The share of Russian arms in Indian imports has decreased significantly, dropping from 70 percent between 2011-2015 to 40 percent in the period from 2021-2025. This shift marks a significant change in India’s defense partnerships and procurement strategy.

Regional Security Concerns Shape Arms Purchases Across Asia

Siemon Wezeman, a senior researcher at the SIPRI Arms Transfers Programme, indicated that apprehensions regarding China’s expanding military capacity are influencing defense expenditures and arms purchases throughout Asia. He noted that India’s substantial arms imports are primarily driven by perceived threats from China and the ongoing conflict with Pakistan, the latter being the principal recipient of Chinese arms exports.

Global Arms Market Dynamics

The report identifies the top five arms importers worldwide from 2021-2025 as Ukraine, India, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Pakistan, collectively accounting for 35 percent of the global arms market. Meanwhile, the United States remains the foremost arms exporter, controlling 42 percent of the global market. Notably, Russia’s share of arms exports dropped dramatically from 21 percent in prior years to 6.8 percent, influenced by significant decreases in exports to several nations.

Shifts in European Arms Imports

For the first time since the 1960s, Europe recorded the largest portion of global arms imports, largely driven by the implications of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and heightened security concerns in the region. Europe accounted for 33 percent of the global arms imports, with Asia and Oceania at 31 percent and the West Asia region at 26 percent.

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