New Delhi. India is the second largest arms buyer in the world, but there has been a major change in the country’s arms procurement strategy in the last decade. Earlier Russia and America were the main arms suppliers to India, but now France is rapidly coming to the fore.
Russia and America’s stake
According to SIPRI, in 2006, India purchased approximately 1 billion TIV of arms from Russia and 0.1 billion TIV of arms from the US. Between 2010–2015, Russia’s share increased to 4 billion TIV, while the US’s share remained at 1 billion TIV. France’s share in this started from 2016 and is continuously increasing.
In the period 2015–2024, India purchased most of the arms from Russia, but the share has come down to 36% compared to earlier. While France achieved a share of 28%, Israel was at 14% and the US was in fourth place. Now France’s participation is increasing rapidly.
Why is France becoming India’s favorite?
The Russia-Ukraine war and American conditions pushed India towards an alternative supplier. Russia was unable to deliver supplies on time due to being busy in the war, while America imposed many conditions. In contrast, France promised to provide arms unconditionally and with technology transfer. This is why India’s purchase reflects not just a commercial but also a strategic change.
Deals worth ₹1.97 lakh crore from France so far
In the last ten years, India has signed many big deals with France:
36 Rafale fighter aircraft: ₹58,891 crore
6 Scorpene submarines: ₹36,000 crore
26 Marine Rafale and 3 Scorpene submarines for Navy: ₹99,000 crore
Deadly missiles and maintenance for Rafale and Mirage aircraft: More than ₹3,200 crore
Now deal for 114 Rafale aircraft to be madeThe one is: Now The purchase of 114 Rafale aircraft with France is about to be approved. This deal will be worth approximately ₹3.25 lakh crore. If this is added to previous deals, India’s total arms purchases from France will exceed Rs 5.22 lakh crore.
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