Top Military Spenders of 2024-25: India’s Position in the Global Military Expenditure Race

In 2024-25, the global military expenditure saw a remarkable rise, with nations allocating significant portions of their GDP to defense. Among the largest spenders, India secured its place as the fifth-highest military spender globally, reinforcing its growing strategic defense capabilities. This article delves into the military spending?  of countries in 2024-25, highlighting India’s position and analyzing the trends in global defense expenditure.

Why in the News?

The rising geopolitical tensions, particularly with the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and instability in the Middle East, have driven nations to increase their defense budgets. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) report reveals that global military spending reached a staggering $2,718 billion in 2024, marking the steepest rise since the Cold War.

Detailed Breakdown of Global Military Expenditure in 2024

1. United States

• As the world’s largest military spender, the U.S. accounted for 37% of global military expenditure in 2024, with a spending of $997 billion. This reflects its ongoing military dominance and strategic investments in defense technologies.

2. China

• The second-largest spender, China, allocated $314 billion, making up 12% of global defense expenditure. China’s rising military budget is indicative of its expanding geopolitical ambitions, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.

3. Russia

• Despite economic challenges, Russia’s military spending reached $149 billion, contributing 5.5% to global military expenditure. The country’s defense budget has grown in response to ongoing conflicts, most notably the war in Ukraine.

4. Germany

• Germany saw a 28% increase in its defense budget, rising to $88.5 billion, placing it as the fourth-largest spender globally. Its increased military expenditure is attributed to the heightened security concerns in Europe, following Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.

5. India

• India spent $86.1 billion, placing it as the fifth-largest military spender. India’s defense budget has grown by 1.6% year-on-year, reflecting its need for modernization and preparedness in an increasingly complex security environment. India’s military spending is now nine times larger than that of Pakistan, underscoring the defense disparity between the two nations.

6. United Kingdom

• With a defense expenditure of $81.8 billion, the UK remains one of the top military spenders. Its budget allocation represents 3% of global military spending.

7. Saudi Arabia

• Saudi Arabia allocated $80.3 billion to its military in 2024, marking a slight increase despite economic pressures. The country’s spending continues to reflect its strategic concerns, particularly in the context of regional instability.

8. Ukraine

• Ukraine’s military budget surged to $64.7 billion in 2024, an increase of 34% due to the ongoing war with Russia. This spike is a direct result of the conflict and the urgent need for defense modernization.

9. France

• France’s defense expenditure remained steady at $64.7 billion, maintaining its position as a major military spender. Its spending represents France’s strategic interests in Europe and Africa.

10. Japan

• Japan spent $55.3 billion on its military in 2024, marking a significant portion of its GDP. Japan’s defense spending is aligned with its regional security concerns, particularly regarding China’s growing military presence in the Indo-Pacific.

Key Takeaways

India’s Military Spending

• India ranks fifth globally, with an expenditure of $86.1 billion, reflecting the country’s growing defense capabilities. This is a 1.6% increase compared to 2023, and India accounts for 3.2% of global military expenditure.

Global Trends

• Global military expenditure saw a sharp rise in 2024, driven by increasing geopolitical tensions, with Europe and the Middle East seeing the largest increases in defense budgets.

Regional Security Concerns

• Countries like the U.S., China, and Russia continue to dominate military spending, while emerging threats in regions such as Eastern Europe (Ukraine) and the Indo-Pacific have spurred other nations like India and Japan to enhance their defense capabilities.