Overview
- SIPRI, which released its annual figures Monday, reports a 2.9% rise to roughly $2.887–$2.89 trillion for an 11th straight yearly increase, with the global military burden reaching 2.5% of world GDP, the highest since 2009.
- European defense outlays rose 14% to $864 billion as NATO countries rearmed, with Germany up 24% to $114 billion and surpassing 2% of GDP for the first time since 1990.
- US spending fell 7.5% to $954 billion because Congress approved no new Ukraine aid in 2025, and SIPRI notes a likely rebound with more than $1 trillion approved for 2026 and a $1.5 trillion proposal for 2027.
- Asia and Oceania climbed 8.1% to $681 billion, with China at about $336 billion after a 7.4% rise and US partners such as Japan and Taiwan increasing budgets in response to regional threats.
- The United States, China and Russia accounted for about $1.48 trillion or 51% of the total, while India moved to fifth with $92.1 billion after an India–Pakistan clash in May 2025 spurred new procurement.