Scientific research instruments are the material resources necessary for scientific research, and the primary basis and necessary prerequisite for the realization of scientific and technological self-reliance and self-improvement. China has been pouring heavy investment annually to purchase foreign scientific instruments and equipment, and almost all advanced precision instruments are imported. This paper discusses the influence of the import dependence of scientific research instruments on scientific research undertakings, analyzes the main reasons for the import dependence of scientific research instruments in China from the perspective of environment, and puts forward corresponding countermeasures and suggestions. It is found that there is a certain degree of import dependence of scientific research instruments in China, and the main reason is the lack of localization environment, including four aspects: talent environment, policy environment, market environment and cultural environment. In this regard, it is recommended that China should speed up the deployment of the talent strategy for scientific research instrument development, build a basic institutional system that encourages independent research and development of scientific research instruments, build a national supply and demand docking platform for scientific research instruments, and strive to create a cultural environment for the localization of scientific research instruments for R&D.