12-Mar-2018: Trends in International Arms Transfers, 2018
The volume of international transfers of major arms in 2014–18 was 7.8 per cent higher than in 2009–13 and 23 per cent higher than in 2004–2008. The five largest exporters in 2014–18 were the United States, Russia, France, Germany and China. The five largest importers were Saudi Arabia, India, Egypt, Australia and Algeria.
The flow of arms to the Middle East increased by 87 per cent between 2009–13 and 2014–18, while there was a decrease in flows to all other regions: Africa, the Americas, Asia and Oceania, and Europe.
From 11 March 2019 the freely accessible SIPRI Arms Transfers Database includes updated data on arms transfers for 1950–2018. Based on the new data, this Fact Sheet highlights global and regional trends and selected issues related to arms transfers.
Despite the long-standing conflict between India and Pakistan, arms imports decreased for both countries in 2014–18 compared with 2009–13.
India was the world’s second largest importer of major arms in 2014–18 and accounted for 9.5 per cent of the global total. Its imports decreased by 24 per cent between 2009–13 and 2014–18, partly due to delays in deliveries of arms produced under licence from foreign suppliers, such as combat aircraft ordered from Russia in 2001 and submarines ordered from France in 2008. Russia accounted for 58 per cent of Indian arms imports in 2014–18, compared with 76 per cent in 2009–13. Israel, the USA and France all increased their arms exports to India in 2014–18.
Pakistan’s arms imports decreased by 39 per cent between 2009–13 and 2014–18. The USA has become increasingly reluctant to provide military aid or sell arms to Pakistan: US arms exports to Pakistan fell by 81 per cent between 2009–13 and 2014–18. Pakistan has instead turned to other suppliers. For example, in 2018 it ordered 4 frigates and 30 combat helicopters from Turkey.
In 2014–18 Russia delivered major arms to 48 states. A total of 55 per cent of its arms exports went to its three main recipients: India, China and Algeria. Although India remained the chief recipient of Russian arms in 2014–18, Russian arms exports to India fell by 42 per cent between 2014–18 and 2009–13.
Despite the rapid development of its indigenous arms-producing capabilities in recent years, China was the world’s sixth largest arms importer in 2014–18 and accounted for 4.2 per cent of the global total. Its arms imports decreased by 7.0 per cent between 2009–13 and 2014–18. Russia accounted for 70 per cent of Chinese arms imports in 2014–18. China remains reliant on imports for certain arms technologies such as engines for combat aircraft and large ships as well as long-range air and missile defence systems. Its own arms industry has yet to develop the technological capability to match Russian suppliers in these fields.
Chinese arms exports rose by 195 per cent between 2004–2008 and 2009–13, they increased by only 2.7 per cent between 2009–13 and 2014–18. In 2014–18 Asia and Oceania accounted for 70 per cent of Chinese arms exports, Africa for 20 per cent and the Middle East for 6.1 per cent. The number of countries to which China delivers major arms has grown significantly over the past few years.
China’s arms exports are limited by the fact that many countries—including 4 of the top 10 arms importers in 2014–18 (India, Australia, South Korea and Viet Nam)—will not procure Chinese arms for political reasons. Nonetheless, improvements in Chinese military technology have opened up opportunities for arms export growth, including exports to new customers. In 2014–18 China became the largest exporter in the niche market of unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs).
1-Mar-2018: Kinzhal hypersonic missile
Russian President Vladimir Putin debuted the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal (“Dagger”) as one of the six new Russian strategic weapons. Just over a week later, the Russian Aerospace Forces conducted the first successful test firing of the air-launched Kinzhal hypersonic missile. The missile was fired from a modified MiG-31B over Southwest Russia.
It has a claimed range of more than 2,000 km, a speed of more than Mach 10, and an ability to perform evasive maneuvers at every stage of flight carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads.
Reports have since indicated that the Kinzhal missile has entered service and that up to 10 MiG-31s have been modified to carry the missiles. The 10 aircraft deployed on experimental combat duty in the Southern Military District, bordering Ukraine and the Black Sea.
The missile is designed as a deterrence measure against United States and NATO warships posing a threat to missile systems in Russia. It is designed to accelerate to hypersonic speed within seconds of launch and perform maneuvers at any time during flight, allowing it to overcome any known United States air or missile defense systems including the MIM-104 Patriot, the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, and the Aegis Combat System. Also, as an ALBM, the missile can be launched from unpredictable locations possibly straining sectored (non-360 degree) radars, like the ones deployed for the Patriot system. Its claimed indefensibility threatens , essentially holding the entire area at risk, until a defense can be built; providing Russia substantial strategic leverage.
7-Dec-2017: Border Protection Grid to be set up in Border States
The Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh chaired a meeting with the Chief Ministers of the Indo-Bangladesh Border (IBB) States, in Kolkata. The Home Minister, giving highest priority to making borders secure, had earlier conducted border specific review meetings for Indo-China, Indo-Myanmar, Indo-Pakistan borders.
In the meeting, the Home Minister underlined the need for securing the country’s borders and putting in place the systems to facilitate legitimate trade and commerce. India has friendly relations with Bangladesh and all these measures will facilitate genuine trade and legitimate cross-border movement of people while curbing radicalization, illegal migration, and smuggling of cattle, fake Indian currency notes and drugs etc. He stressed on the need to prevent entry, at International borders, of illegal migrants some of whom have links with extremist groups for furthering anti-national activities with ulterior motives and posing threat to internal security.
In the comprehensive review meeting of border management, he emphasized the need to fast track border infrastructure development and to strengthen border security.
The Indo-Bangladesh Border covering 5 states of India including Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura and West Bengal is 4096 km long. So far in 3006 km border security infrastructure of fence, roads, floodlights and border out posts (BOPs) are in place and works in the remaining 1090 km are yet to be started. Out of this, 684 km will be secured with fence and the related infrastructure, and the balance 406 km with the non-physical barriers. Although bulk of the infrastructure is in place or under construction, construction in some parts is yet to commence mainly due to land acquisition issues. The Home Minister urged the Chief Ministers to take personal interest to expedite land acquisition in the interest of national security. They assured to make land available at the earliest.
The areas to be covered by non-physical barriers are those where fencing is not feasible like rivers or nullahs etc. In these areas technological solutions of a networked combination of electronic gadgets like radar, day-night cameras, various types of sensors etc. all integrated in a command and control architecture will be used.
He highlighted the concept of Border Protection Grid (BPG) for multi-pronged and foolproof mechanism to secure our border. The grid will comprise of various elements namely physical barriers, non-physical barriers, surveillance system, Intelligence agencies, State Police, BSF and other State and Central agencies. BPG will be supervised by a State level Standing Committee under the Chairmanship of respective Chief Secretaries. BPG will ensure greater help for the States in the overall border security. For putting in place the BPG, he sought active participation of all stakeholders including State Governments.
The Home Minister said that the people living in the border areas are our strategic asset and need to be provided with all the infrastructure and socio-economic development facilities. He emphasized the importance and necessity of improved infrastructure such as roads, railways, health and education etc. and also boosting border economy in the border areas in a holistic and comprehensive manner. He asked the State Governments that while the Home Ministry was working to supplement their efforts, they must pay greater attention to these areas.