Analysts note that India has remained one of the key importers of Ukrainian weapons both before and during the full-scale war of Russia against Ukraine. The highest level of procurement was recorded in 2023, when India purchased 70% of all defense exports from Ukraine, surpassing the volumes of any other country. In 2021-2022 and 2024, India ranked second among importers, with shares of 11%, 20%, and 44%, respectively.
This is reported by Business • Media
Share of Ukrainian Weapons in India’s Imports Has Significantly Decreased
Despite the high percentage in the structure of Ukrainian exports, the actual volumes of arms sales from Ukraine to India remain insignificant. This is explained by Ukraine’s substantial needs for its own defense, which significantly limits exports. Thus, in 2023, the share of Ukrainian weapons in India’s total imports was only 1.3%, and in 2024, this figure decreased to 0.9%. In comparison, during the same period, the share of the Russian Federation reached 40%, securing Russia the top position in the ranking of arms suppliers to India.
Additional US Tariffs Encourage India’s Closer Ties with Russia and China
It is important to note that after the administration of Donald Trump imposed additional tariffs on Indian goods – which were a response to India’s continued purchases of Russian oil – New Delhi and Moscow signed a protocol to deepen cooperation in the fields of aluminum, fertilizers, railways, and mining equipment.
Moreover, immediately after US President Donald Trump signed an order to impose additional tariffs on goods from India due to the country’s ongoing purchases of Russian oil, India and Russia signed a protocol to deepen cooperation in the fields of aluminum, fertilizers, railways, and mining equipment.
Additionally, the introduction of new American tariffs may push India towards a more active rapprochement with China, significantly affecting the geopolitical balance in the region and the arms market.