Qatar
Qatar was the third largest importer of major arms between 2018 and 2022, accounting for 6% of the global market.
- According to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Qatar’s arms imports increased by 311% between 2013-17 and 2018-22.
- The country’s arms imports include several military equipment, such as modern fighter jets, missile defense systems, armored vehicles, and navy vessels from several international vendors.
- Qatar’s defense purchases are motivated by the desire to modernize its armed forces, improve its preventative capabilities, and remain prepared to confront growing security threats in the Middle East area.
- Also, Qatar’s involvement in regional security efforts such as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), hosting of US military sites, and participating in coalition activities may impact its defense procurement decisions.
Top 10 Largest Arms Importers in the World
In the last five years, India accounted for the largest share of global arms imports (11%), followed by Saudi Arabia (9.6%), Qatar (6.4%), Australia (4.7%), and China (4.7%), according to data released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). It is a think tank that monitors imports of weapons over five years.
In this article, we will look into the list of the top 10 arms importer countries in the world along with the percentage of share of global arms imports and the major suppliers.